Critical Minerals, Critical Talks | Lucia van Geuns on Supply Risks of Critical Raw Materials
Europe needs ever more critical raw materials as these materials are in everything we own, want and need. But they aren't always easily sourced. What makes sourcing these materials so difficult and sometimes unreliable? Why should we strive to follow the EU's CRM-act? HCSS energy expert Lucia van Geuns answers these questions and more, on the "Critical Minerals, Critical Talks" podcast of VU Amsterdam.
HCSS Commentary | Opaque Supply Chains may prevent ReArming Europe
Europe’s military supply chains are too fragile, fragmented, and opaque for today’s security environment—putting its Rearmament Plan at risk. While policymakers focus on boosting defence investments, a critical blind spot remains: securing the midstream of military supply chains. Without transparency and resilience in sourcing key components, European defence readiness is vulnerable to disruption. Read the latest HCSS op-ed by analysts Irina Patrahau and Benedetta Girardi on why Europe must urgently strengthen its defence supply networks.
Amrish Ritoe | Trump, Zelensky and the Ukraine rare earth saga
The Ukraine rare earth saga is a reminder of the complexities and dangers of intertwining geopolitical interests with natural resources. Despite Trump’s insistence on the existence of vast quantities of rare earths, HCSS strategic advisor Jeff Amrish Ritoe warns that Ukraine, while possessing critical raw materials such as titanium, manganese, graphite and lithium, is not a significant producer of rare earths. The difference between identifying minerals in the ground and extracting them profitably is huge. “What’s on the maps doesn’t always translate into production.”
