Beijing’s recent restrictions on gallium exports have highlighted the need to secure critical mineral supply chains. China produces 98 percent of the world’s supply of raw gallium, a critical mineral vital to the U.S. defense industry–particularly in next-generation missile defense and radar systems.

SOURCE: "Mineral Monopoly: China’s Control over Gallium Is a National Security Threat" by CSIS's Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs.

In 2022, South Korea’s defense industry reached a record $17.3 billion, a 140 percent increase from 2022. South Korea’s new NATO strategy expands defense cooperation with Europe despite risking increased tensions with Russia, China, and North Korea.

SOURCE: "What Is Yoon’s NATO strategy?" by CSIS's Ellen Kim.

China is the largest source of U.S. imports for 26 of the 50 critical minerals. Such concentrated supply chains are vulnerable to physical, economic, or political security risks.

SOURCE: "Building Larger and More Diverse Supply Chains for Energy Minerals" by CSIS's Joseph Majkut, Jane Nakano, Maria J. Krol-Sinclair, Thomas Hale, and Sophie Coste.

Africa is urbanizing at an alarmingly fast rate: over 500 million people will move into African cities in the next 35 years. The United States has an opportunity to compete with China on the continent by promoting local contractors, city officials, and administrators.

SOURCE: "Beyond AGOA: Building a Bigger Africa Policy" by CSIS's Eliot Pence.