Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURAN-SAM, cilt.17, sa.68, ss.266-278, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)
The accelerating global energy transition is placing rare earths and critical minerals at the centre of economic and security debates. As the world shifts from fossil fuels to renewable technologies, control over the extraction, processing and trade of these minerals has become a key determinant of power relations among states. The concentration of production, particularly in China, creates strategic vulnerabilities for the United States, the European Union and emerging economies, increasing the need for supply chain diversification and technological capacity-building. Focusing on the strategic role of rare earth elements, this study highlights their indispensable function for core technologies in defense, communications and renewable energy infrastructure, and argues that the concept of energy security has expanded beyond oil and natural gas to include critical minerals. The findings show that aligning energy transition goals with geopolitical stability requires the joint design of national strategies, strategic investments and multilateral cooperation.