The Battle for Access to Critical Commodities

• Russia’s answer to breaking the Black Sea Grain Initiative is to essentially coerce Africa and Middle Eastern countries into supporting Russia’s war effort in return for agricultural sales. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin held the RussiaAfrica Leaders Summit. 43 African leaders were expected to show up. But only 17 made it.

• African nations are now increasingly wary of Russia’s heavy hand via the Wagner Group. The spate of coups in Africa just did not happen – Russia’s hand can be found in virtually all of them.

• The same can be said for China – Belt and Road Initiative deals are costly and risk countries losing control of critical mineral export capabilities.

• What is at stake? The future of technological and energy dominance globally.

Sources: Council on Foreign Relations; US Institute for Peace; New York Times; Wood Mackenzie