US National Security Strategy Overlooks Central Asia's Role in Critical Minerals Supply Chain
The US National Security Strategy (NSS) fails to recognize Central Asia's potential in the critical minerals supply chain, particularly for vanadium, which is essential for steel and energy storage. With the US heavily reliant on imports and facing supply risks from dominant producers like China and Russia, Central Asian nations possess significant vanadium deposits that could enhance US economic competitiveness and national security. Future NSS revisions should prioritize securing foreign investments in these resources.
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The US National Security Strategy (NSS), dated November 2025, overlooks Central Asia as a target for critical minerals despite its resource base and investment potential. The NSS needs to address this in future iterations, especially given the increasing strategic relevance of vanadium, used in steel and energy storage.
In 2024, the US consumed 14,000 metric tons of vanadium but only produced 3,800 tons domestically, relying on imports primarily from Brazil and South Africa. The US faces a supply risk as mining is dominated by China and Russia.
Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan have potential vanadium deposits, with Kazakhstan's Balasausqandiq deposit estimated at 32.9 million tons. The US must secure foreign investments in critical minerals to enhance economic competitiveness and national security, as highlighted by recent discussions between US and Central Asian leaders.
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