Cascade Topology — BFS paths from chokepoint controls
Gallium sev5 — 98% China GaAs / GaN substrates sev4 Compound semi mfrs sev4 Defense radar 5G RF front-ends Germanium sev4 — ~80% China IR detectors Defense ISR Fiber optic preform Telecom buildout RE Separation sev5 — 90%+ China NdPr oxide NdFeB magnets EV traction motors Wind turbines Humanoid robots Defense actuators Dy / Tb Heavy RE sev5 High-temp magnets Defense-grade only kg-scale US output Tungsten sev4 — 15 exporters Armor-piercing ammo Defense primes Antimony sev4 — 11 exporters Munitions primers Defense primes
Severity 5 — sole/near-sole source Severity 4 — dominant, limited alternatives End-use industries
ForcedAlpha — November Cliff Cascade