Rare Earths: From Industrial Obscurity to Strategic Power

Over the last 25 years, rare earth elements (REEs) have quietly become central to clean energy, advanced electronics, and national security. From EVs and wind turbines to defense applications, these materials are irreplaceable and increasingly strategic.

In this article, I explore:

• How global production has evolved and why downstream refining is the real bottleneck.

• Why demand for REEs is durable, tied to performance rather than cost.

• The current state of recycling and what it means for supply resilience.

• Geopolitical dynamics, particularly China’s role, and what leaders should do to secure supply.

• Implications for sustainable development and the clean energy transition.

This is a deep dive for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, policy, and global supply chains.

Read the full article here: