We live in a global economy. Our actions, or lack thereof, affect the world, particularly when it comes to the world’s food supply. As the conflict in Ukraine continues and warnings of a food and fuel crisis build, it’s clearer than ever that free markets and free people are interconnected.

Ukraine and Russia are two of the world’s leading grain producers. Thirty percent of global exports of wheat come from those two countries. They are already being affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making global food security a serious and pressing concern. Many have argued that high food costs and food insecurity in 2010 contributed to the Arab Spring. Today, we’re seeing warning signs that more unrest is on the horizon. In recent days, we’ve seen economic protests from Iraq to Morocco and Sudan. Tunisia is on the verge of economic collapse.