Pakistan at the crossroads of a new mineral war
For decades, global power struggles were defined by oil - but a quieter, more complex contest is now unfolding, one that may prove even more consequential for the 21st century. The new battleground is rare earth minerals and critical resources that sit at the heart of modern technology, defence systems and the global digital economy. These minerals, ranging from lithium and graphite to rare earth elements, are essential inputs for electric vehicles, semiconductors, smartphones, satellites, missile systems and artificial intelligence infrastructure. They have almost become the invisible backbone of modern industrial and military power. That is precisely why Washington is increasingly sounding the alarm. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned lawmakers that China's dominance of global critical mineral supply chains represents a serious strategic vulnerability for the wider international system. He claims no single source should be relied on for nearly 90 per cent of mat...