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: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images

Economic Warfare and Military Power

As strategic competition intensifies, the United States needs a clearer way to use finance, trade, industrial policy, and regulation to strengthen its own defense base while making it harder for adversaries to turn economic strength into military power. 

Brief by Benjamin Jensen and Jacob Clayton — May 26, 2026

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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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Economic Warfare and Military Power

As strategic competition intensifies, the United States needs a clearer way to use finance, trade, industrial policy, and regulation to strengthen its own defense base while making it harder for adversaries to turn economic strength into military power. 

Brief by Benjamin Jensen and Jacob Clayton — May 26, 2026

Rare Earth Export Restrictions One Year Later

China’s 2025 rare earth export restrictions exposed a critical U.S. national security vulnerability. Washington responded with billions in financing and global partnerships. One year on, we assess the response—and how far the United States still is from true resilience.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — April 27, 2026

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