The US Military's Critical Minerals Challenge

The US Military's Critical Minerals Challenge

From Modern War Institute by Modern War Institute at West Point

July 26, 2025 · 59 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges faced by the US military regarding critical minerals and supply chain vulnerabilities, featuring Dr. Morgan Bazilian.

The US government established the National Defense Stockpile in 1939 to ensure that in the event of a major conflict, there would be enough raw materials on hand to continue production of vital equipment. Since the end of the Cold War, it has steadily shrunk, now just a tiny fraction of its peak size. Moreover, while its original purpose was stockpiling materials like steel and rubber, US military systems are now dependent on a wider range of both raw materials and finished products—like rare earth minerals and the magnets that require them. And the supply chains for these items are, in some cases, controlled heavily by China. What should US policymakers do to reduce this vulnerability? That’s the subject of this episode, featuring a discussion with Dr. Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines. The MWI Podcast is produced with the generous support of the West Point Class of 1974.

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Morgan Bazilian

Topics covered

  • military supply chains
  • critical minerals
  • national defense
  • US policy
  • China
  • raw materials

Keywords

  • critical minerals
  • US military
  • supply chains
  • national defense
  • rare earth minerals
  • China
  • policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: US government, National Defense Stockpile, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines, MWI Podcast

Places: China

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