In March 2022, crude oil prices (CL1:COM) rose to a fourteen-year high at over $130 per barrel. After the U.S. released unprecedented barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve ("SPR"), prices fell below the $70 level. The U.S. SPR declined over 40% from over 600 million at the end of November 2021 to 351.3 million barrels as of October 16. The bifurcation of the world's nuclear power began in early 2022 when Russia and China formed a "no-limits" alliance. Russia's invasion of Ukraine less than one month after President Xi and Putin shook hands made the world much more dangerous.