The United States is reshaping its geopolitical strategy around control of critical resources that power both traditional industries and emerging technologies. This approach, sometimes described as the “Donroe Doctrine,” reflects a modern reinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing dominance over oil, minerals, and the inputs needed for artificial intelligence. In this framework, economic security, national security, and technological leadership are tightly interconnected.
Oil remains a central pillar of this strategy, but it is no longer the sole focus. Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements have become just as important because they underpin semiconductors, batteries, data centers, and AI hardware. Access to these resources is now viewed as essential for maintaining competitiveness in advanced computing and AI development, especially as global demand accelerates.
The strategy has clear geopolitical dimensions. Regions rich in energy and minerals, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, are gaining renewed attention as arenas of influence and competition. By securing supply chains closer to home, the U.S. aims to reduce dependence on rival powers and insulate itself from global shocks that could disrupt access to materials vital for both economic growth and military strength.
Critics argue that this resource-driven approach risks reviving old patterns of interventionism and could destabilize international relationships. Supporters counter that in an era defined by AI and technological rivalry, controlling the building blocks of innovation is unavoidable. As competition over resources intensifies, the “Donroe Doctrine” highlights how the struggle for AI leadership is inseparable from the global contest over energy and minerals.
