Lithium as a Strategic Resource in Global Politics; Opportunities and Challenges for Afghanistan

Lithium, as a key element in new technologies and renewable energies, has gained a prominent position in global politics. Due to its widespread use in the production of lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems, this metal has become a strategic material in industrial and geopolitical developments. The increasing growth of global demand, limited supply, and geographical concentration of reserves have created intense competition among major powers for access to lithium resources. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, with its rich lithium reserves, has the potential to play a role in the global market for this vital element. However, challenges such as insecurity, lack of appropriate infrastructure, lack of technology, and geopolitical competition have hindered the effective exploitation of these resources. The main question of this research is what role does lithium play as a strategic resource in global politics and what position does Afghanistan have in this field? The research hypothesis states that the importance of lithium in global politics is increasing and that Afghanistan, by addressing existing challenges, can become an important player in this field. This research was conducted with a descriptive-analytical method and based on library studies and used scientific sources, research articles, international reports and government documents. The results show that lithium has a significant impact on economic and geopolitical policies and that Afghanistan can use this opportunity to develop and enhance its international position with proper management.