Why Central Asia Is Unavoidable for Western Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Central Asia’s growing role in global critical-mineral supply chains was discussed at the launch of the Danube Institute’s Turkic–Western Engagement Initiative, where experts highlighted the Middle Corridor’s rise, China’s tightening grip on strategic resources, and Hungary’s opportunity to shape Western engagement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (b) welcomes Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Istanbul on December 8, 2025.

Hungary and Türkiye Deepen Strategic Defence Cooperation

‘As part of the high-level meetings, Hungary and Türkiye also convened the first-ever session of the Hungarian–Turkish Consultation Mechanism, bringing together the foreign ministers, defence ministers and national security officials of both countries—a format Türkiye reserves only for its closest partners.’

Flags of NATO member countries outside the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

What Use Is NATO, Anyway?

‘Unless NATO can produce a credible plan to remain relevant in a world that is changing dramatically—geopolitically and technologically—it risks falling apart under the weight of its own irrelevance.’