April 2026

Beyond Oil: How the Hormuz Closure Affects Defense Industries, Data Centers, Critical Minerals, and More

Beyond Oil: How the Hormuz Closure Affects Defense Industries, Data Centers, Critical Minerals, and More

By Cauvery Ganapathy

Disruptions triggered by the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have interrupted global efforts at industrial reshoring, data center-led digitization, electrification, and the reinforcement of defense production lines, while also posing risks to global food security.

An Unstructured U.S. Critical Mineral Strategy Takes Shape

An Unstructured U.S. Critical Mineral Strategy Takes Shape

By Jeffrey D. Bean

If the U.S. government can facilitate practical, targeted bilateral engagements for mining and processing under the banner of Pax Silica and FORGE, these could support derisking semiconductor, AI, and critical mineral supply chains provided key Global South actors are engaged effectively and equitably.

The UAE, Bahrain, and the Security of the Strait of Hormuz

The UAE, Bahrain, and the Security of the Strait of Hormuz

By Mahdi Ghuloom and Cauvery Ganapathy

What is noteworthy is that the UAE and Bahrain, two countries which have consistently advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the dispute, have now been forced to pivot towards seeking a more proactive approach aimed at securing the Strait under a UN-supported coalition.