Analysis

The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

New Atlanticist Aug 5, 2025

A tale of two supply chains: Comparing Trump’s new copper tariffs and rare earth investments

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

Two recent interventions by the Trump administration highlight the importance of tailoring mineral policy on a case-by-case basis.
Critical Minerals Economy & Business
The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

Issue Brief Jul 1, 2025

A US framework for assessing risk in critical mineral supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Peter Engelke

Critical mineral risks to US national and economic security should be evaluated on a mineral-by mineral basis
Critical Minerals Energy & Environment
The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

Trackers and Data Visualizations Jun 8, 2025

Learn how China orchestrated its rare earths dominance

By Craig Hart

Explore the decision-making processes and financial flows that power China’s rare earths ecosystem.
China Energy & Environment
The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

Report Jun 6, 2025

Keeping China at bay and critical minerals stocked: The case for US-Africa defense collaboration

By Aleksandra Gadzala Tirziu

As Russia, China, and other authoritarian powers expand their global reach, US security is at stake. To stay competitive, the United States must turn to Africa—for both critical minerals and partnership in countering rising adversarial influence on the continent.
Africa Critical Minerals
The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

New Atlanticist Apr 30, 2025

Experts react: At last, the US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal. Here’s what to expect next.

By Atlantic Council experts

After months of wrangling, Washington and Kyiv quietly finalized a much-anticipated agreement on April 30. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.
Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security
The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

Report Dec 19, 2024

What African producers of critical minerals can learn from Indonesia’s experience

By Bradford Simmons and Julien Marcilly

Indonesia and its success with resource nationalism can serve as an example for many mineral-rich African countries.
Africa Critical Minerals

Workstreams

Global Energy Center

Critical energy supply chains

Strengthening national security and industrial competitiveness through energy diplomacy, strategic trade initiatives, and industrial and innovation policy.
Africa Center

Critical Minerals Task Force

The Africa Center’s Critical Minerals Task Force serves as a leading platform for research and discussion on the burgeoning critical mineral partnership between African countries and the United States.

Events

Public Event Thu, December 11, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

2025 Critical Minerals Supply Chains Summit

Senior government officials, industry leaders, and global experts convene to chart a path toward secure and competitive minerals supply chains.

Defense Industry Economy & Business Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
Public Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Critical minerals and the pathways to prosperity, peace, and security in the DRC

Following the DRC’s offer of a critical minerals deal with the US and high level talks, the Africa Center hosts a series of conversations with experts to provide a roadmap on investment priorities to the private and public sector.
Africa Critical Minerals Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business
Online Event Wed, February 16, 2022 • 10:00 am ET

Preparing the United States for a mineral-intensive future

Global Energy Center experts discuss the mineral supply challenge facing the United States as it intensifies its climate ambition.
Critical Minerals Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Renewables & Advanced Energy

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The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

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The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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Content

Issue Brief

May 14, 2025

The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

By Kemal Pasamehmetoglu

Global nuclear energy generation is likely to increase significantly in the next few decades. This expansion provides an opportunity for the United States to shape the global nuclear energy landscape and set a high bar for standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation for the nuclear fuel cycle.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Critical Minerals

EnergySource

May 9, 2025

Environmental risk weighs heavily on the possible rewards of deep sea mining 

By William Yancey Brown

Despite growing political momentum to advance deep sea mining for critical minerals, the practice remains at odds with existing US and international environmental laws. Current proposals fail to meet legal standards, and the potential for irreversible damage to marine ecosystems raises serious concerns.

Critical Minerals
Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

May 1, 2025

Cautious optimism in Kyiv as Ukraine reacts to landmark US minerals deal

By Peter Dickinson

There was a sense of cautious optimism in Kyiv on Thursday morning as Ukrainians reacted to news that a long-awaited natural resources agreement with the United States had finally been signed, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2025

Experts react: At last, the US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal. Here’s what to expect next.

By Atlantic Council experts

After months of wrangling, Washington and Kyiv quietly finalized a much-anticipated agreement on April 30. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.

Critical Minerals
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Issue Brief

Apr 24, 2025

The Millennium Challenge Corporation could prove essential in the race for critical minerals. Reform it, don’t shut it down.

By Aubrey Hruby

As the Trump administration aligns foreign aid with core strategic interests, the MCC represents an underutilized asset.

Critical Minerals
Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Apr 23, 2025

Illicit mineral supply chains fuel the DRC’s M23 insurgency 

By Clarkson Kamurai, Brad Handler, and Morgan Bazilian

The illicit trade of mined materials is fueling the M23 insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), threatening regional stability and hindering development. As the United States considers a minerals-for-security agreement with the DRC, international engagement, ethical sourcing practices, and strengthened oversight are critical to fostering long-term peace in this resource-rich region.

Africa
Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2025

Tariffs can help secure US critical mineral supply chains—if they’re done right

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

US tariffs on critical minerals should be precisely targeted and coupled with robust federal support for domestic mining.

Critical Minerals
Economy & Business

EnergySource

Apr 15, 2025

Central Asia’s geography inhibits a US critical minerals partnership

By Haley Nelson and Natalia Storz

Central Asia holds vast critical mineral resources, but limited export capacity and complex environmental, geopolitical, and legal risks make large-scale US investment unfeasible. The US should instead focus its efforts on allied nations with established mineral export industries.

Central Asia
Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Apr 11, 2025

Want to understand the US-China trade war? Start with soybeans and batteries.

By Joseph Webster and Valentina Sader

As Washington and Beijing hit each other with new tariffs, two goods—soybeans and lithium-ion storage batteries—offer a window into the larger trade war.

Brazil
China

EnergySource

Apr 3, 2025

Profitability and power: Fixing US critical minerals supply chains

By Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes

The global critical minerals race is well underway, and the American supply chain is behind. To regain momentum, the US must make this industry viable by creating a financial framework that attracts and retains capital.

Critical Minerals
Energy & Environment
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Experts

Staff

Alexis Harmon

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Francis R. Fannon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business