Arctus Analytics

🔷Arctus Analytics is entering the next phase of its institutional development. Through integration with Think Mongol Institute, we are expanding into a more comprehensive and independent research platform – bringing together political, foreign policy and geopolitical analysis with economic policy research. Think Mongol Institute is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to strengthening and shaping Mongolia’s economic policy through independent research, ideas, and activities. This integration reflects our commitment to contributing to Mongolia’s long-term development by elevating policy research to a more systematic and institutionally grounded level. Our work will continue uninterrupted throughout this transition, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to independence and rigorous research standards.

South Korea and Mongolia Seek to Revive EPA Talks with Focus on Critical Minerals South Korea and Mongolia have discussed ways to accelerate stalled negotiations on a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on March 24, with renewed emphasis on cooperation in critical mineral supply chains. During meetings in Ulaanbaatar, South Korean trade officials urged progress on unresolved issues, including market access and rules of origin, while proposing the inclusion of critical minerals cooperation in the agreement. Talks, which last held a fourth round in November 2024, have faced delays due to Mongolia’s concerns over liberalization. Both sides signaled intent to advance negotiations, reflecting growing strategic interest in Mongolia’s mineral resources and expanding economic ties.

U.S. Weighs Limited Ground Operation Scenarios in Iran The U.S. is considering several scenarios for a limited ground operation in Iran. One option includes deploying U.S. troops to Iranian ports or small islands in the Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Other scenarios include seizing highly enriched uranium or targeting Iranian oil facilities to cut off a key financial channel and force concessions from the regime. None of the options reportedly involves a large-scale troop deployment. Photo credit: Axios

Parliament Speaker Holds High-Level Party Talks in China Mongolia's Parliament Speaker and MPP Chairman N.Uchral held meetings with senior Chinese Communist Party officials, including Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi and International Department head Liu Haixing, during his official visit to China. Discussions focused on strengthening party-to-party relations as a pillar of the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, alongside expanding cooperation in renewable energy, infrastructure, environmental protection, digital economy, and carbon markets. N.Uchral reaffirmed Mongolia’s support for the “One China” policy and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration under China’s Belt and Road initiative. Both sides emphasized advancing leader-level agreements into tangible projects and expanding exchanges among party-affiliated organizations, signaling continued momentum in political and economic cooperation. Photo credit: MPP

Seven Firms Bid to Develop Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi’s Borteeg Deposit Seven domestic and international companies have submitted investment proposals to develop the Borteeg section of the Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit, with bids now under government review. The project requires investors to finance full mine-to-market infrastructure and operate under a revenue-sharing model, while ensuring Mongolia retains at least 51% of total project benefits. The Borteeg deposit holds over 424 million tonnes of coal, primarily semi-coking, and is planned as a 30-year open-pit mine with annual production capacity of 15 million tonnes, positioning it as a significant addition to Mongolia’s coal export pipeline.

Mongolia’s Spring Parliamentary Session Opens with a Test of Political Control Parliament began its 2026 spring session focused on economic legislation but quickly turned into a political standoff due to an opposition boycott and internal divisions within the ruling Mongolian People's Party. Our latest analysis looks at internal party dynamics, the Speaker’s position, and pressure on the Prime Minister. Read more: arctusanalytics.com/2026/03/22/mon…

Mongolia, Kazakhstan Advance Energy and Mining Cooperation Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources G.Damdinnyam met with Kazakhstan’s First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Bizhanova Aizhan Adilovna to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation ahead of President U.Khurelsukh’s planned state visit in April. The two sides explored collaboration in exploration and mining, petroleum products, and nuclear energy, with Mongolia proposing a long-term agreement to import crude oil and refined petroleum products from Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan expressed support for the proposal, and both parties also discussed joint work in processing industries, particularly gold refining. The meeting concluded with an agreement to formalize cooperation through a memorandum of understanding, signaling a potential diversification of Mongolia’s energy supply and downstream processing capacity. Photo credit: Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia

NATO Deploys Additional Patriot System to Southern Türkiye NATO will deploy another Patriot air defense system to Türkiye’s southern Adana province, the Defense Ministry said. The deployment follows Ankara’s confirmation last week that NATO forces intercepted a third ballistic missile from Iran in Turkish airspace, underscoring growing security risks linked to the ongoing conflict. Photo credit: TRT Haber

US President Trump Signals Potential Move on Cuba Amid Ongoing Pressure U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes he may have “the honor of taking Cuba,” describing the island as “very weakened” as Washington maintains an energy blockade. He suggested the U.S. could shift focus to Cuba after achieving its objectives in Iran, at one point referencing a possible “friendly takeover.” Cuba reported a nationwide power outage on Monday which authorities blamed on U.S. sanctions. According to The New York Times, the Trump administration is seeking to remove President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power, though it has not targeted members of the Castro family, who remain influential. Photo credit: Norlys Perez/Reuters

Two Ministers to Be Replaced as Cabinet Reshuffle Moves Forward Energy Minister B.Choijilsuren and Education Minister P.Naranbayar have submitted their resignations, with Prime Minister G.Zandanshatar set to formally dismiss them and nominate replacements during a parliamentary session scheduled for March 18. While the Cabinet initially considered retaining the ministers for stability, it has now moved ahead with the reshuffle under the Prime Minister’s constitutional authority, which does not require a parliamentary vote. According to latest reports, the HUN Party reportedly seeking to nominate MP B.Naidalaa for the energy portfolio, while MP L.Enkh-Amgalan (MPP) is being considered for education. Photo credit: Government of Mongolia

Mongolia, U.S. Hold 17th Political Consultative Meeting Mongolia and the United States held their 17th Political Consultative Meeting on March 17, in Ulaanbaatar, co-chaired by Foreign Ministry State Secretary L.Munkhtushig and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael G. DeSombre, with participation from multiple Mongolian ministries. The two sides reviewed progress under the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership, including ongoing cooperation projects and programs, and discussed preparations for launching direct flights as well as expanding collaboration in trade, investment, energy, artificial intelligence, education, and culture. Both sides also welcomed the successful, on-schedule completion of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Water Compact and explored opportunities to replicate similar joint initiatives in other sectors. Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia

Donald Trump asks to postpone summit with Xi Jinping due to Iran conflict U.S. President Donald Trump said he intends to delay his planned visit to China by about a month so he can remain in Washington to oversee the ongoing war with Iran. The trip had been scheduled for March 31–April 2 and would include talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo credit: Reuters

Democratic Party Boycotts Parliamentary Sessions Until Speaker Uchral Resigns Party Leadership The Democratic Party caucus in Parliament announced it will boycott plenary sessions until Parliament Speaker N.Uchral steps down from his role as leader of the Mongolian People’s Party. Caucus leader O.Tsogtgerel said the decision reflects concerns over the concentration of political power, arguing that the head of a political party should not simultaneously preside over a multi-party legislature. The caucus said the boycott is intended as a political protest rather than an attempt to obstruct parliamentary operations. Democratic Party lawmakers also criticized what they described as growing systemic corruption and called for government accountability, while reiterating earlier demands related to cabinet reshuffles and potential government dismissal. Photo credit: iSee

BREAKING: Energy Minister Choijilsuren Submits Resignation Request Mongolia's Energy Minister B.Choijilsuren said he has submitted a request to step down from his post and will explain the reasons for the decision in the near future. The resignation request comes amid mounting criticism of Mongolia’s energy sector following repeated technical failures and electricity restrictions in recent months. The sector has faced growing public and political pressure, with opposition figures calling for accountability over ongoing power supply disruptions. Earlier reports also indicated that Education Minister P.Naranbayar had submitted a request to resign, following disputes over teacher salaries and labor protests in the education sector.

China Adopts Law to Strengthen Ethnic Unity and Party Control China has adopted a new law intended to strengthen what authorities describe as “ethnic unity.” The legislation, titled the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, seeks to reinforce the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership over ethnic affairs and further integrate ethnic minority regions into the country’s broader development agenda, according to a spokesperson for the National People’s Congress. The law places greater emphasis on the use of Mandarin over minority languages, promotes interethnic marriages, and requires parents to guide minors in cultivating loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. Photo credit: VCG/Getty Images

Asia Introduces Emergency Measures as Iran War Disrupts Energy Supplies Governments across Asia are implementing emergency policies to manage fuel shortages and rising energy costs following disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Several major economies are relying on reserves and alternative suppliers. Japan has begun releasing strategic oil stocks, China continues receiving crude shipments from Iran, and India has increased purchases of Russian oil. Elsewhere, governments are imposing demand-reduction and market-stabilization measures. South Korea has introduced a domestic fuel price cap, while Thailand is using its oil fund to subsidize fuel prices. Bangladesh has rationed fuel sales and deployed security forces to oil depots and fuel stations. Myanmar has restricted vehicle use by alternating license plate numbers and introduced fuel rationing. Some countries are also reducing energy consumption through administrative measures. Pakistan has closed schools and shifted government offices to a 4-day work week, while authorities in the Philippines and Vietnam are encouraging reduced travel, remote work, and other conservation policies. Photo credit: Bloomberg

South Korea will accelerate the restart of its nuclear reactors currently undergoing maintenance to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, the country’s Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced. Two reactors are expected to reopen this month and four more by mid-May.

Foreign Minister Attends World Nuclear Energy Summit in France Mongolia's Foreign Minister B.Battsetseg participated in the World Nuclear Energy Summit held on March 10 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, co-hosted by France and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The summit brought together representatives from more than 60 countries to discuss nuclear energy’s role in climate mitigation, energy security, financing, advanced technologies, and fuel supply chains. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the importance of diversifying uranium supply and referenced Mongolia and Kazakhstan as key producers. During the opening session, Battsetseg outlined Mongolia’s energy outlook and emphasized the importance of safe, affordable nuclear energy aligned with the Paris climate goals. She also held a bilateral meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on the sidelines of the event. Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

BREAKING: The US military says it has destroyed several Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers, near the Strait of Hormuz after intelligence indicated Tehran had begun placing mines in the strategic waterway. The strait carries roughly 20% of global crude oil shipments. Meanwhile, Iran’s UN ambassador accused the US and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians, claiming over 1,300 people have been killed since the conflict began. The Pentagon also reported that around 140 US service members have been injured since the war started on February 28.