Critical Minerals

Critical minerals have been called the oil of the twenty-first century and are crucial in cutting-edge defense and AI technologies. CSIS is spearheading research on how critical minerals and their supply chains can impact global economies, technology competition, and national security.

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Photo: EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images

Trump’s Greenland Ambition Is About U.S. Power, Not Alliances

Trump's push for Greenland isn't about NATO security—it's about controlling vast sums in rare earth minerals. European appeals to Cold War alliances miss the point of his America First doctrine, which prioritizes U.S. economic gain above all else.

Commentary by Sir Robin Niblett — January 14, 2026

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Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Trump’s Greenland Ambition Is About U.S. Power, Not Alliances

Trump's push for Greenland isn't about NATO security—it's about controlling vast sums in rare earth minerals. European appeals to Cold War alliances miss the point of his America First doctrine, which prioritizes U.S. economic gain above all else.

Commentary by Sir Robin Niblett — January 14, 2026

China’s Rare Earth Campaign Against Japan

China’s imposition of new rare earth export restrictions on Japan, following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, represents an escalation in China–Japan tensions and highlights Beijing’s increasing reliance on mineral export controls as a deterrence tool.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — January 13, 2026

Greenland, Rare Earths, and Arctic Security

Greenland holds globally significant rare earth resources, but harsh conditions and weak infrastructure have stalled mining. U.S. interests are best advanced not through coercion, but coordinated investment with European allies to counter China’s influence.

Report by Meredith Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — January 8, 2026

What’s in the New U.S.-Saudi Minerals Agreement?

The U.S.-Saudi minerals partnership marks a realignment in global supply chains—pairing Saudi Arabia’s vast heavy rare earth reserves with significant U.S. investment to build a mine-to-magnet pathway that directly reduces China’s leverage and strengthens allied security.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran — November 19, 2025

A New Landscape for Development: Examining Impacts, Capabilities, and Opportunities

Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. This compendium dives deep into the impacts on fields across the development ecosystem and potential opportunities within this new landscape.

Digital Report by Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, Noam Unger, J. Stephen Morrison, Katherine E. Bliss, Romina Bandura, Caitlin Welsh, David Michel, Rose Parker, and Joely Virzi — November 13, 2025

A New Landscape for Development: Recommendations

Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. These recommendations provide guidance on how the U.S. can engage meaningfully and productively in the world despite the significant changes.

Digital Report by Noam Unger, Andrew Friedman, and Hadeil Ali — November 13, 2025

A New Landscape for Development: The Ground Has Shifted

Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. This digital report examines the context, current state, and early impacts of these dramatic changes and opportunities within this new landscape.

Digital Report by Noam Unger, Andrew Friedman, and Hadeil Ali — November 13, 2025

Ten Years of C5+1: U.S.–Central Asia Minerals Cooperation

Amid a changing donor landscape, the United States has an opportunity to realign and leverage its full range of financing tools to promote economic growth abroad while safeguarding its national security interests.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Kamal Aubakirov — November 4, 2025