Analysis

Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

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
Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

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
Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

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
Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

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
Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

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
Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

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 Tue, January 27, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Korea Zinc Chairman Yun B. Choi on allied partnership for minerals security

Choi discusses emerging models for allied cooperation on critical mineral supply chain resilience.
East Asia Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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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Content

Issue Brief

Jun 10, 2025

Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

By William Yancey Brown

In partnership with the Policy Center for the New South, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center is launching a new series of publications and events dedicated to the power of the Atlantic ocean with an inaugural policy brief on energy and mineral potential.

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

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

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2025

How Kazakhstan can anchor a resilient rare‑earth supply chain for the West

By Miras Zhiyenbayev

By partnering with Kazakhstan on rare-earth element mining, the United States can reduce its dependence on China and build a more secure critical minerals supply chain.

Central Asia Critical Minerals

UkraineAlert

May 20, 2025

US-Ukraine minerals deal creates potential for economic and security benefits

By Svitlana Kovalchuk

The recently signed US-Ukrainian minerals deal places bilateral ties on a new footing and creates opportunities for long-term strategic partnership, writes Svitlana Kovalchuk.

Conflict Critical Minerals

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
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Experts

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

Staff

Alexis Harmon

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business

Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals