This week I focused on answering my ‘top of the hourglass’ question: In transboundary water basins, what key forces have propelled increased use, and how does their transboundary status affect that exploitation? In doing so, I discovered vital background information in addition to more basic stats like how many transboundary basins exist. Some of the information I became more interested in was what main factors have been identified as creating political stress and potential international instability. One aspect that I found interesting was the distinction between water quality issues vs. water quantity. It seems that direct physical conflicts have been spurred through the later, where as quality issues are more commonly resolved through peaceful negotiations. My research also brought up the role of the United Nations and how their power is employed in terms of international freshwater policy. Ultimately, this opening research gave me a more strongly defined direction for the development of my hourglass, especially were my broader implications could lead.