I have been seeing a lot of discussion on LinkedIn about whether emergency management (EM) should require more degrees and certifications. I am not convinced that expanding formal requirements is the most necessary or effective path for the profession, and here is why.

U.S. policy is not simply about opening new mines. It is about building a stronger supply chain—from mining and processing to manufacturing, recycling, storage, and trade with allies.

The U.S. Constitution was—and remains—a geopolitical instrument.

The New Great Game, then, is not only about controlling mountain passes and caravan roads as military buffer zones. It is about securing access to geological deposits, processing facilities, and supply lines.

In a March 2014 article in Mining Engineering magazine, I played devil’s advocate by asking whether the risks of doing business in Turkey...