The Iran war is refocusing global attention on the critical supply chains that power modern military arsenals. Rare earths are essential components in advanced weaponry, from fighter jets to interceptor missiles such as THAAD and Patriot. However, with Chinese export restrictions increasingly targeting equipment with military end-uses, Western nations are facing a critical shortage of the materials needed to rearm.

How long will it take for countries to counter China's near-monopoly and achieve true supply independence? And beyond the defense sector, what is the long-term growth potential for the industry as demand accelerates for electric vehicles, AI data centers, and advanced humanoid robotics?

Jack Baxter, Global Metals and Mining Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Together, they unpack the unprecedented deals reshaping the market and explore how Western miners – including MP Materials and Lynas Rare Earths – are positioned to capitalize on this shift.

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Manufacturing the world's most advanced semiconductors demands a massive, uninterrupted supply of electricity. In Taiwan, the technology sector alone accounts for a staggering one-quarter of the economy's total power consumption. However, the war in the Middle East is exposing deep vulnerabilities for both South Korea and Taiwan, as these vital chipmaking hubs rely heavily on oil, LNG and chemical gases flowing through the region.

If the conflict drags on, exactly how long can strategic energy reserves last in Seoul and Taipei? Could sudden power shortages during the high-demand summer peak season derail the global rollout of AI infrastructure? And what emergency measures can policymakers implement to secure their grids, such as shifting generation mixes or pivoting back to nuclear power?

Bum Ki Son, Barclays’ senior regional economist covering South Korea and Taiwan, and Dave Dai, its head of APAC sustainable investing research, join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. They unpack the energy choke points threatening the region's tech dominance and explore the viable alternatives for sourcing power.

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The Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered one of the largest energy supply shocks in modern history, sending Brent crude surging past $100 a barrel. With nearly 80% of the trapped crude and LNG destined for Asia, the region is exceptionally vulnerable to these bottlenecks. But the crisis extends well beyond energy – crippled supplies of critical inputs such as helium, aluminum and fertilizers threaten a broader inflationary spike across regional manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

This creates a complex dilemma for monetary policymakers. Central banks must navigate the sudden inflationary jolt of $100 oil against the structural headwinds of slowing growth and the threat of AI-related job losses. The balancing act is proving especially tricky for the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of Japan. Louis Kuijs, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at S&P Global Ratings, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the vulnerabilities of Asia's net energy importers, the outlook for regional currencies, and why central bankers face an unenviable trade-off.

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