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.

Latest Analysis

Photo: Aleks Taurus/Adobe Stock

Photo: Aleks Taurus/Adobe Stock

Minerals Diplomacy Meets Market Reality: The Case of Pakistan

Pakistan’s mineral resources offer long-term potential for diversifying supply chains. However, security risks, weak institutions, and structural constraints are foundational challenges that increase risk exposure for any U.S.–Pakistan minerals partnership.

Report by Meredith Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — April 15, 2026

See all analysis on Critical Minerals

Past Events

Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

The Futures Summit Day 1

April 10, 2026 • 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EDT
Hosted by Global Development
See all events on Critical Minerals

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Experts

Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

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

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Minerals Diplomacy Meets Market Reality: The Case of Pakistan

Pakistan’s mineral resources offer long-term potential for diversifying supply chains. However, security risks, weak institutions, and structural constraints are foundational challenges that increase risk exposure for any U.S.–Pakistan minerals partnership.

Report by Meredith Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — April 15, 2026

The Futures Summit Day 1

Join us on April 10, 2026, for The Futures Summit’s in-person full-day forum as we unlock new opportunities for our sector and chart a more inclusive and resilient global development architecture.

Event — April 10, 2026

Leading the Way: Building Secure Supply Chains for the Advanced Economy

Establishing a global certification framework for critical minerals could be a gamechanger for U.S. industries, from automotive manufacturing to AI development. The United States should seize this opportunity to lead allies in the implementation of such a system.

Blog Post by Yuri Unno — March 24, 2026

Securing Critical Mineral Supply: A Government–Industry Dialogue

Join the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program virtually for public sessions on financing, investment conditions, supply-chain resilience, and public–private coordination, as part of "Securing Critical Mineral Supply: A Government–Industry Dialogue."

Event — February 3, 2026

Tech Edge: A Living Playbook for America’s Technology Long Game

Winning the tech race is not about any single breakthrough. Leadership requires competing across the full menu of technologies, developing the dexterity to build at speed and scale, and defending our domestic markets from nonmarket competition.

Report by CSIS Scholars — January 20, 2026

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