U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

How Russia Is Eclipsing the U.S. in Africa

The Kremlin is preparing to showcase its steadily growing influence in Africa, which has often come at Washington’s expense. On October 28-29, Moscow will host more than 30 African delegations for the...

China’s Push for Transport Integration Could Expand Beijing’s Control of Central Asian Trade Routes

A new front in the U.S.-China competition is taking shape along the Middle Corridor, the critical trade route linking China and Europe while bypassing Russia and Iran. This corridor, also known as the...

The U.S. Rare Earth Playbook Provides a Blueprint for Supply Chain Securitization

Washington is arming itself against weaponization of rare-earth-element supply chains. On August 24, the Department of Defense’s Economic Defense Unit (EDU) announced a $750 million offtake agreement...

Knowledge is power: Why America needs economic security intelligence

Excerpt America was unprepared for its trade war with China, but it shouldn’t have been. As Beijing cut off access to critical minerals, the United States had no response but a quiet retreat. The...

Central Asia’s Power Needs Are an Opportunity for Washington

Blackouts across Central Asia should be a light-bulb moment for Washington as it seeks to diversify critical-mineral supply chains. An August 14 blackout across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and...

Tehran is losing its grip on Hormuz, and with it all its leverage

All the noise around Iran’s supposed stranglehold on oil supplies transiting through the Strait of Hormuz is missing the point. The reality is that the combination of Operations Midnight...

How to Get the Other Half of US Economic Statecraft Right 

The United States has the means to block adversaries from gaining an advantage in trade. However, it also needs a positive vision and toolkit for international commerce and investment.

Kazakhstan Bets on Iranian Port Investment

Landlocked Kazakhstan is seeking port access, and Astana is banking on Iran to provide it. On July 8, Kazakhstan signed an agreement to build a logistics and transport terminal at Iran’s largest seaport...

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...

China Targets the U.S. Rare Earth Comeback

The short pause in U.S.-China minerals warfare is over. The May 2026 Trump-Xi summit in Beijing raised hopes of extending the critical minerals truce that began at the October 2025 Busan summit, where...

U.S. Turns to Central Asia To Combat China’s Rare Earth Dominance

The United States is vulnerable to Chinese control over critical mineral supply chains. To reduce its dependence on Beijing, Washington is increasingly looking to Central Asia. On June 10, U.S. special...

Modernization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act

A Gameplan for American Economic Security:

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

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...

Oil Price Whiplash Highlights America’s Enduring Preparedness Gap

Amid the uncertainty caused by the ongoing war with Iran’s clerical regime, the price of oil  jumped to $120 on March 9 before crashing back to $95 in a matter of hours. The price swings reflect...

Taiwan Strengthens Energy Resilience With Planned Purchases of American LNG

In the run-up to Lunar New Year, Taiwan is looking to keep the lights burning brightly. The Taiwanese Ministry of Energy pledged on February 5 to increase its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG)...

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...

Hybrid Warfare in Europe Against U.S. Interests

Moscow and Beijing’s Playbook

Trojan Horse

China's Auto Threat to America

Chinese Coercion of Taiwan’s Energy Lifelines: A Contest Taiwan and the West Can’t Afford to Lose

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