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Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy
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Morgan D. Bazilian, Emily J. Holland, Joshua Busby

America’s Military Depends on Minerals That China Controls

A conveyor belt carries chunks of cobalt at a plant in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Feb. 16, 2018. (Samir Tounsi/AFP via Getty Images)

In 1944, when the outcome of World War II hung in the balance, the rapid advance of Allied forces across Europe suddenly stalled due to fuel shortages. In the famous words of then-Gen. George Patton: “My men can eat their belts, but my tanks have gotta have gas.”

Patton’s quote is a testament to the crucial role of supply chains and logistics in military operations. Simply stated, supply chains win wars and save lives. Materials need to be in the right place at the right time.

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