Mitigating and preventing domestic unrest and terrorism is difficult to do while adhering to the Constitution. Thus, it’s critical to address root causes. One of those causes and one of the most pressing risks to national security and stability, and broader geopolitical stability, is food insecurity.
Even in the United States, there is a significant percentage of people who struggle to get enough to eat (CBS reported a study this past March that showed nearly 1 in 4 Americans don’t have enough food https://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-in-four-americans-food-insecure/). This has grown significantly over the past 18 months, with countries dealing with high inflation, or a lack of wheat-based foodstuffs brought on by the Ukraine-Russian war.
Research by Bellinger and Kattleman (article reference below) showed that there was a significant correlation to a nation’s food security and the number of domestic terrorist acts committed. This is due to food insecurity being seen as a symptom of weak government, thus creating more of an opportunity for extremists to recruit terrorists. And the more terrorists the more potential attacks.
Interestingly, their research also shows a correlation between increased protein intake and fewer acts of terrorism.
Regardless of if you view this as a private sector matter or something that the public sector needs to handle, you can help.
Organizations Fighting Food Insecurity
Some organizations you can support by donating to or volunteering with that are fighting food insecurity regionally and nationally include:
Websites & References
Nisha, B., & Kattelman, K. T. (2021). Domestic terrorism in the developing world: role of food security. Journal of International Relations and Development, 24(2), 306-332. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41268-020-00191-y
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