MemCast
MemCast / episode / insight
The United States wants Pakistan to secure rare‑earth minerals in Balochistan
  • The US sees Balochistan’s rare‑earth deposits as a strategic resource to reduce reliance on China.
  • A recent meeting highlighted the “rare‑earth pitch” as the core reason for US‑Pakistan talks.
  • Securing these minerals would give Washington a foothold in a region where China already has a presence.
  • This competition fuels a broader US‑China rivalry over critical supply chains.
Aditya RathaorRaj Shamani00:00:24

Supporting quotes

“बिकॉज़ दैट इज हिज पिच। दैट इज व्हाई यूएस वांट्स पाकिस्तान।” — Aditya Rathaor
Explaining why the US is interested in Pakistan
“रेयर अर्थ मिनरल्स के लिए बलोचिस्तान में।” — Aditya Rathaor
Identifying the resource in Balochistan

From this concept

Pakistan: The New Rare-Earth Battleground

Pakistan's Balochistan region sits on a wealth of rare-earth minerals that both Washington and Beijing covet. The US is courting Islamabad for access, while China supplies satellite intelligence, and a tangle of militant groups makes the security picture volatile.

View full episode →

Similar insights