Materials

The most important alliances will lead to critical minerals

In the 21st century, geopolitical and economic advantage will depend on forging new links in strong supply chains.

  • J. Peter Pham

How the Pentagon is working to wriggle out of China’s rare-earths grip

At a conference in Honolulu, the assistant defense secretary for industrial base policy detailed the challenge.

  • Jennifer Hlad

Pentagon to become rare-earth mining company's largest stockholder

The Defense Department will buy a 15% stake in MP Materials and fund the construction of a magnet-making facility, all to reduce its reliance on China.

  • Ross Wilkers

How China’s new rare-earth export controls target the Pentagon—and the world

The licensing system replaces a cruder, less flexible means of economic leverage.

  • Tye Graham and Peter W. Singer

China’s rare-earth mineral squeeze will hit the Pentagon hard

More than 78 percent of the U.S. military’s weapons rely on Chinese materials, a new report calculates.

  • Patrick Tucker