Natural Resources

To prevent a return to the zero-sum logic of Cold War resource politics, critical mineral supply chains must be widened at every step.

TSMC is an economic boon, but its success makes China covet the industry while its natural resource consumption reduces resilience.

“Volt Rush” examines the price of a dirty green business—and China’s role.

The Taliban are strip-mining their mineral wealth to fund factional power grabs.

The battle for cash pits the Kabul extremists against Hazara locals.

The scramble for battery metals threatens to replicate one of the most destructive dynamics in global economic history.

The untapped trove of metals on the ocean floor might be the key to a greener future—or an environmental catastrophe.

Beijing could profit handsomely from Afghan resources and exports, but new ventures risk exposing Chinese nationals to violence.

Ukraine’s extraordinary riches in energy, minerals, and agriculture are a prize for the Kremlin.

Russia’s invasion has torn asunder oil and agricultural markets. But there’s lots more economic carnage on the way.

Modern civilizations are forged with sand, but soaring extraction has come at an alarming price.

Its ascent to a leadership role in international diamond accreditation is an opportunity for the industry to clean up its act.

Few other issues better illustrate the messy trade-offs involved in climate policy.

A new book on Firestone Liberia highlights the stark choices faced by countries where capital is in short supply.

With supplies running out, water security could be the issue that finally makes the region’s countries work together.

They’re not actually that rare, but their importance to almost all modern technologies cannot be overstated.

Washington and Beijing are watching a snap election on the huge island closely.

They have created a strikingly successful scheme that prevents overfishing and raises local incomes at once.

It could build entire industries, create new jobs, green the economy—and unite the country behind a common purpose.