Export–Import Bank of the United States

June 29, 2026 | Daniel Swift, Susan Soh

Sanctioning DR Congo’s Blood Gold Is Smart, but Not Enough

The east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now at the center of the U.S.-China critical mineral conflict. On June 25, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a network based in the Rwandan capital of...

May 7, 2026 | Craig Singleton, Elaine K. Dezenski, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Joe Dougherty

Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit 

May 4, 2026 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Josh Birenbaum

A Gameplan for American Economic Security:

Supercharging U.S. Statecraft, from an Economic Pentagon to the Near-Global Economy

April 17, 2026 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Daniel Swift

CATL’s Mining Push Escalates China’s Critical Minerals Offensive

China’s battery giant is going vertical. CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced a $4.4 billion investment to launch a dedicated mining subsidiary focused on securing critical mineral...

February 4, 2026 | Daniel Swift |

“Project Vault” Takes Aim at Broken Critical Mineral Markets

The United States may finally be serious about breaking China’s control over minerals that are critical for commercial and defense technologies. The announcement of “Project Vault” on February...

December 19, 2025 | Josh Birenbaum, Max Meizlish

As the noose tightens around Nicolas Maduro, how to ensure a strong — and pro-American — Venezuela follows

With President Donald Trump announcing a “total and complete” oil blockade of Venezuela this week, the noose around dictator Nicolas Maduro’s neck is tightening. A massive US Navy strike...

October 14, 2025 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Daniel Swift

5 Ways the U.S. Should Retain and Upgrade America’s Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

Congress would be smart to ensure the survival and reform of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) – America’s development bank that invests in private sector projects in developing...

June 10, 2025 | Jack Burnham, Miles Kershner

President Trump Issues Executive Orders to Counter China’s Drone Industry

The Trump administration is ramping up its efforts to counter the threat posed by China’s drone industry. On June 6, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to codify a process for screening...

March 28, 2025 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Alexander St. Leger

Trump Takes Aim at Chinese Minerals Chokehold, Paving Path for Increased Investment

Washington is finally trying to free itself from China’s mineral chokehold.

February 27, 2025 | Jack Burnham, Reece Breaux

In Sign of Deepening Ties, China Signs Agreements With Cook Islands

China has increased its presence in Oceania, undermining regional confidence in the United States and threatening sea lines critical for Australia’s and New Zealand’s security. On February 22, China...

January 15, 2025 | Craig Singleton |

Biotech Battlefield

Weaponizing Innovation in the Age of Genomics

October 10, 2024 | David Rader, Elaine K. Dezenski

Congress Should Create an Economic Statecraft and Security Commission

The United States has a few powerful tools to conduct economic warfare and strengthen its economic security. Unfortunately, many of them operate independently, without coordination, lacking strategic guidance,...

February 27, 2024 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Josh Birenbaum

Tightening the Belt or End of the Road? China’s BRI at 10

September 8, 2023 | Elaine K. Dezenski |

Italy is about to say to Beijing, ‘Hit the road, Xi’

Rome's anticipated departure from the Belt and Road Initiative likely marks the end of the project’s grand European aspirations, Elaine Dezenski writes.

June 30, 2023 | Elaine K. Dezenski |

Washington Needs a New Economic Security Framework for the Americas

Washington must bring powerful answers to pressing issues in the region: populism, political unrest, and disinformation; water and food insecurity; extreme weather; mass migration; the evolving drug trade; money laundering and corruption; and weakened democratic institutions.

April 28, 2023 | Bradley Bowman, Orde Kittrie, Ryan Brobst

The United States and Saudi Arabia: A Possible Path Forward

September 26, 2022 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Ambassador John Simon, Allie Dichiara

American Innovation Can Counter China’s BRI

In contrast to the BRI’s “railroads to nowhere,” the United States can reframe global infrastructure development around the citizens who need it the most.

April 9, 2022 | James Brooke |

Putin’s war perverts a personal geography

Bucha? That was the leafy Kyiv suburb where we spent a Saturday afternoon, eating ice cream cones and exploring a city park defined by neatly clipped hedges, classical sculptures and fathers teaching their...

February 10, 2022 | Emily de La Bruyère, Nathan Picarsic

Elemental Strategy

Countering the Chinese Communist Party’s Efforts to Dominate the Rare Earth Industry

January 14, 2021 | Eric B. Lorber, Juan C. Zarate

National Economic Security