S01E02 - The geopolitics of resources: A global chess game

From lithium and rare earths to copper, cobalt, and critical minerals, raw materials are no longer just economic assets, they have become strategic tools shaping global power dynamics. In this episode of Raw Talks, host Roman Stiftner explores how access to resources is influencing international relations, trade alliances, industrial strategies, and geopolitical tensions across the world.

Joining the conversation is Ed Conway, Economics and Data Editor at Sky News, and author of the best seller 'Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future'. He brings his perspective on the growing importance of critical resources in shaping global economies and political agendas. Together, they examine how the race for strategic materials is transforming supply chains and redefining power structures across regions and industries.

As demand for critical raw materials accelerates through the energy transition and technological transformation, competition for supply chains is intensifying. Who controls the resources of the future? How are nations positioning themselves in this high-stakes race? And what does this mean for Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy?

Tune in as we unpack the complex global chess game behind the materials powering modern society and discover why the future of geopolitics may increasingly be written in minerals.