Authored by Anthony Milewski of The Oregon Group,
Sixteen days of the Iran war left coalition forces needing an estimated 4,000kg of tungsten just to replace the expended gun ammunition — but US mines produced none of the metal in 2025 and, instead, China accounted for 79% of global tungsten mine production.
And it's not just tungsten.
In a RUSI analysis of the Iran war, researchers estimated coalition forces expended more than 11,000 munitions in the first 16 days. And replenishing these arsenals will require secure access to a wide range critical minerals — from antimony to copper, rare earths to titanium — that make advanced weapon systems possible.
And the West's exposure, especially dependence on Chinese supply, is substantial.
"If the war in READ MORE AT SOURCE »
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