The Future Availability of Strategic Raw Materials and Possible North Atlantic Treaty Organization Actions
Abstract
This thesis examines the question of the scarcity of strategic raw materials and the potential for the interruption or cut-off in the supply of these raw materials to the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Strategic raw materials are defined as those raw materials that are essential to national defense and consist of bauxite, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, natural rubber, nickel, phosphate rock, platinum, tin, tungsten, and zinc. Once the potential for cut-off of these materials is determined, the thesis examines several possible courses of action available to NATO to insure an adequate supply of strategic raw materials in view of the fact that most of these materials are located outside of NATO. This thesis looked at three courses of action available to NATO in dealing with potential interruptions in the supply of strategic raw materials. The three courses of action examined were, first, a do nothing approach and leave any action to individual member governments; second, a military approach to safeguard existing sources of supply; and, third, a pre-crisis preparatory approach to lessen damaging effects of any cut-off. The thesis shows that the third approach appears to be the best overall approach and offers the best chance for coping with any future cut-off.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 06, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADB006732
Entities
People
- Eric A. Kevitz
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College