Effect of China's Scramble for Resources and African Resource Nationalism on the Supply of Strategic Southern African Minerals: What Can the United States Do.

摘要

This report determines relevant US policy gaps in regard to strategic resources from Southern Africa. Potential solutions are provided for the continuing supply of strategic resources from Southern Africa. Military implications are identified concerning the struggle for strategic resources, especially in Southern Africa. The United States is more dependent than most countries for the supply of defense critical resources, due to the size of its defense industries and reliance on high technology. The fundamental problem is that manufacturing industries have continued to leave the United States for China, creating the possibility that US defense industries may become dependent on China. The research analyzes China s strategy for resource access and its use of soft power. The research also assesses the role of strategic resources in fostering conflict and the evolving character of resource conflict. The project examines the US understanding of future threats, specifically the depletion of strategic resources, and the US posture to respond and defend its interests, using the instruments of power and across the spectrum of warfare.3 The research report recommends responses to forms of conflict and warfare over strategic resources.