Baker Briefing: Recent Episodes
Baker Institute at Rice University
Baker Briefing is a podcast that tackles the most critical foreign and domestic policy issues of the day in conversations with experts at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Hosted by The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director of the Baker Institute, each episode is recorded in front of a live audience at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
The funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, wound through major holy cities across the region last week. The mourners, traditionally clad in black, carried red banners conveying a clear message: The regime is seeking vengeance.
The apparent collapse of a fledgling ceasefire and renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran chart a troubling course for the region. Iranian leaders are seeking to reassert leverage, and that strategy may depend less on uranium enrichment and centrifuges than on control of the narrow strip of water that has become one of the conflict’s most consequential flashpoints.
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Baker Institute Fellow for the Middle East, joins Ambassador David M. Satterfield to discuss how one critical week could mark a turning point for Iran and the broader region.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, “Iran Embraces a Forever War,” by Mohammad Tabaar in Foreign Affairs, June 2, 2026.
This conversation was recorded on July 10, 2026.
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The U.S. Supreme Court is issuing decisions that could shape American law for years to come. In this conversation, Ambassador David M. Satterfield speaks with David W. Leebron, president emeritus of Rice University and former dean of Columbia Law School, about what the current term’s rulings reveal about the direction of the institution, how the Roberts Court has evolved over the past two decades, and what these developments could mean for public confidence in the nation’s highest court.
This conversation was recorded on June 12, 2026.
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On July 1, negotiators will begin the formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade pact affecting billions of dollars in commerce and tens of millions of workers across North America. What priorities will each country bring to the table, and how likely is a consensus to extend the agreement for another 16 years?
Ahead of the 2026 USMCA review, center experts David A. Gantz and Simon Lester joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss the negotiating landscape — one shaped by trade tensions, tariff policy, and evolving political dynamics across North America.
This conversation was recorded on June 22, 2026.
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For more than a decade, Syria was defined by war, displacement, and devastation. The fall of Bashar al-Assad marked a historic turning point but also raised a difficult question: What comes next for a country rebuilding after years of conflict?
Baker Institute Fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen speaks with Mona Yacoubian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about Syria’s fragile transition. They discuss the country’s political and economic challenges, prospects for refugee return, and the role regional powers and the international community may play in shaping its future.
This conversation was recorded on June 3, 2026.
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As the 2026 World Cup begins, the world’s biggest sporting event is also becoming a stage for broader debates about politics, access, and global influence. Questions surrounding visa restrictions, rising travel costs, international tensions, and the role of sport in shaping national image have shifted attention to issues that extend beyond the game itself.
Host David M. Satterfield is joined by Baker Institute Fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen to examine how the World Cup has become intertwined with geopolitics, soft power, and the evolving relationship between sports and diplomacy. Together, they explore whether a tournament designed to unite the world can still fulfill that mission amid growing political and economic pressures.
This conversation was recorded on June 12, 2026.
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How is the Trump administration reshaping American healthcare? Ambassador David M. Satterfield sits down with Heidi Russell, director of the Baker Institute Center for Health Policy, to discuss a new report examining major health policy changes during the administration’s first year — from Medicaid cuts and federal agency restructuring to vaccine policy and public health priorities. What do these changes mean for patients, providers, states, and the future of public health in the United States?
This conversation was recorded on May 28 2026.
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Americans know healthcare is expensive, but what’s less understood is why the cost of coverage can vary so dramatically, even for people doing similar jobs in the same state. Host David M. Satterfield talks with Baker Institute fellows Vivian Ho and Marah Short about a new report examining health insurance premiums across Texas universities. The findings reveal striking differences in what institutions and employees pay for comparable coverage, with gaps that can reach thousands of dollars per year.
This conversation was recorded on May 28, 2026.
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Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), escalating conflicts have forced millions of people from their homes — often not just temporarily, but for years or even generations. As wars drag on and humanitarian resources shrink, what happens when there are few clear paths home and millions are left navigating the lasting human costs of displacement?
Ambassador David M. Satterfield speaks with Baker Institute experts Kelsey Norman and Ana Martín Gil about the realities of protracted displacement across the region. Norman and Martín Gil are series editors of a new Baker Institute compilation report on protracted displacement in the MENA, which is particularly acute in the region and driven by complex political, security, and climate dynamics.
This conversation was recorded on May 14, 2026.
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As conflict with Iran intensifies, economic consequences are beginning to extend beyond the battlefield, from rising energy prices to growing concerns about inflation and household costs. Ambassador David M. Satterfield and John W. Diamond, director of the Baker Institute Center for Tax and Budget Policy, discuss what a prolonged conflict could mean for the U.S. economy — and why everyday Americans may soon feel the effects.
This conversation was recorded on May 20, 2026.
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As conflict and instability in the Middle East continue to shape global energy markets, Americans are beginning to feel the effects far beyond the gas pump. Host David M. Satterfield speaks with energy experts Kenneth B. Medlock III and Mark Finley about why oil prices react so sharply to geopolitical shocks. They discuss how those shifts ripple through airline fares, travel costs, inflation, and household budgets, and what could transpire in the months ahead as conflict in the Middle East continues.
This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2026.
Featured:
- Mark Finley
- Kenneth B. Medlock III
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This week, President Donald Trump travels to Beijing for a high-stakes state visit amid rising tensions between the United States and China, persistent economic uncertainty, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Host David M. Satterfield speaks with Steven W. Lewis about what Washington and Beijing are each hoping to signal through the meeting, and how the trajectory of the U.S.-China relationship could shape global trade, security, and the international order in the years ahead.
This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2026.
Featured:
- Steven Lewis
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Guyana sits at the center of one of the fastest energy expansions in the world — at a moment when geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and market volatility are reshaping global energy systems in real time. But rapid growth brings difficult questions: What are the risks, tradeoffs, and strategies behind turning a historic resource boom into lasting national development?
During a visit to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 4, 2026, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared his perspective on the country’s rise as a global energy player. Since oil production began in 2019, Guyana has rapidly emerged as a major force in global energy markets — making its policy choices increasingly relevant far beyond its borders.
This episode is the second part of this conversation. Building on his earlier remarks, Ali sits down with Francisco J. Monaldi for a candid armchair discussion on what comes next. Together, they explore the practical realities of execution — from managing hydrocarbon expansion and attracting investment to building the infrastructure needed to sustain long-term growth.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 4, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Guyana, on the northern coast of South America, has become one of the fastest-growing energy producers in the world. Since oil production began in 2019, the country has quickly emerged as a major force in global energy markets, at a time when geopolitical tensions and market volatility are reshaping the global energy landscape.
During a visit to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 4, 2026, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared his perspective on Guyana’s rise as a global energy player. Speaking before a live audience, Ali outlined his administration’s strategy for balancing rapid energy development with economic diversification while navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment and rising expectations around sustainability.
This is the first of two episodes featuring remarks from that event. In this episode, Ali delivers prepared remarks outlining his broader vision for Guyana’s future — from energy and infrastructure to human capital and environmental stewardship. The second episode features an armchair discussion with Baker Institute Fellow Francisco J. Monaldi on the practical challenges of implementing that vision.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 4, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify,or your preferred podcast platform.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
In the middle of war, healthcare systems tend to break down due to high-level risks and resource constraints, and doctors on the frontlines face challenges that policy alone cannot fully capture. In this episode, fellow Sonali Korde spoke with clinicians Rachel Wilkins Davis, M.D., Heather Haq, M.D., and Catherine Anne Morrison, M.D., M.P.H about their experiences working in conflict settings. Each shares unique insights on the challenges of delivering care under severe conditions, from treating children in crisis to navigating difficult ethical decisions with limited resources. Their stories reveal the human cost of war behind the headlines and the significant risk that healthcare workers face.
This conversation was recorded on April 21, 2026, in front of a live audience at the conference, The Last Lifeline: Safeguarding Health Care Amidst Rising Global Conflict.
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What happens when the rules designed to limit the human cost of war and protect humanitarian workers on the front lines begin to erode in conflicts across the globe? Why does this issue matter beyond the battlefield? In this episode, experts explore how the rules of war shape the safety of hospitals, aid workers, and civilians, and why their breakdown has global consequences.
This discussion includes highlights from a conference at Rice University featuring Baker Institute Director David M. Satterfield and Fabrizzio Carboni on the importance of following the “rules of war,” the international implications for breaches, and impacts on aid and healthcare workers’ protections.
This conversation was recorded on April 21, 2026, in front of a live audience at the conference, The Last Lifeline: Safeguarding Health Care Amidst Rising Global Conflict.
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It’s Tax Day, and this episode steps back from the headlines to look at the forces shaping the U.S. fiscal and economic outlook. From the latest federal budget proposals and rising defense costs to updated projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Treasury Department on deficits and debt, the fiscal picture is facing growing pressure.
Ambassador David M. Satterfield and John W. Diamond examine how the costs of ongoing and potential conflicts factor into an already strained budget environment, alongside broader economic crosscurrents, including private equity stress, immigration trends, tariffs, fiscal stimulus, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
With geopolitical tensions adding uncertainty, this episode asks: How much stability remains in the system?
This conversation was recorded on April 15, 2026.
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On March 16, 2026, a federal judge blocked changes to U.S. vaccine policy advanced under Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ruling that officials acted unlawfully in restructuring the nation’s vaccine advisory system.
In this episode, Baker Institute Director David M. Satterfield and Center for Health Policy Director Heidi Russell examine how vaccine recommendations are typically made, what changed, and why the court intervened. They also discuss the implications of the decision for public trust, vaccine access, and the future of public health in the United States.
This conversation was recorded on March 20, 2026.
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This episode is part of the Texas Briefing podcast “Between Pulpit and Policy” series, which examines the role of religion in Texas politics. Produced in partnership with the Baker Institute Student Forum, the series explores how faith intersects with public life and policymaking.
How do students experience faith on campus, and how does religion shape their views on public policy?
In a student panel moderated by Baker Institute fellow Michael O. Emerson, Rice University students David Lee, Zaina Waheed, and Jacob Alemeshet discuss how faith influences their daily lives, identities, and civic perspectives. Representing Christian and Muslim student organizations, the panel explores religious pluralism, freedom of belief, and the challenges of balancing faith and inclusion in a diverse campus environment.
The conversation also examines the relationship between religion and voting behavior, the role of faith-based organizations in policymaking, and current debates in Texas, including legislation involving religion in public schools. This discussion offers insight into how younger generations are approaching faith, civic engagement, and leadership in an increasingly diverse society.
Featured:
- Michael O. Emerson, Ph.D.
Student Panelists:
- David Lee, Rice University Class of 2026, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF)
- Zaina Waheed, Rice University Class of 2026, Muslim Student Association (MSA)
- Jacob Alemeshet, Rice University Class of 2028, Christian student organization
This conversation was recorded on Dec. 4, 2025, in front of a live audience.
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The conflict in Iran is sending shock waves through global energy markets, tightening supplies, driving up prices, and placing energy security at the center of strategic and economic considerations.
On this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Ambassador David M. Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Kenneth B. Medlock III, director of the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies, examine developments following U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on Feb. 28.
They discuss potential impacts on energy flows, country responses, and what the evolving dynamics could mean for the global economy in the weeks and months ahead.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on March 27, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
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The war in Iran has entered a more dangerous and unpredictable phase, with strikes intensifying, diplomacy stalled, and global stakes higher than ever. On this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Ambassador David M. Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and fellow Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar discuss the latest developments in the conflict. What strategic calculations have brought all sides to this point, and where might the conflict go from here?
This conversation was recorded on March 26, 2026.
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As cities around the world confront slower population growth, aging populations, and shifting migration patterns, policymakers are rethinking long-standing assumptions about economic development, infrastructure, and public investment.
Ambassador David M. Satterfield speaks with Baker Institute fellow Bill King about the global reality of depopulation and what it could mean for the future of urban life. Using Houston as a case study, they examine how these demographic shifts are affecting schools, tax bases, housing, transportation, and long-term planning in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on Feb. 24, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
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Twenty years after taking the oath as Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts Jr. visited Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy for a rare public conversation on the role of the courts in a rapidly changing world. In this special episode of “Baker Briefing,” Chief Justice Roberts reflects on two decades leading the Supreme Court, responds to critiques of the judiciary, and discusses how the courts are adapting to emerging technologies and a shifting political landscape.
Roberts joins Lee H. Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas for a discussion on judicial independence, public trust, and the evolving responsibilities of the judiciary.
This episode presents the full, unedited recording of the conversation, beginning with opening remarks from Amy Dittmar, provost of Rice University.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in Rice University’s Stude Concert Hall on Mar. 17, 2026.
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War between Iran, the United States, and Israel is entering a volatile new phase — raising urgent questions about escalation, leadership in Tehran, and the future stability of the Middle East.
Ambassador David M. Satterfield and Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar discuss how Iran’s leadership is interpreting the conflict and the domestic and regional pressures shaping its response. They explore the sustainability of Iran’s military strategy, the implications of potential leadership change in Tehran, and what the widening confrontation could mean for the region—and the world.
This conversation was recorded on Mar. 5, 2026.
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The Feb. 22, 2026, death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, head of Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has reignited debate about security, governance, and the strength of Mexico’s institutions. In the days following the operation, cartel-linked violence spread across multiple states — underscoring both the reach of criminal networks and the risks of confronting them.
Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute’s Claudio X. González Center for the United States and Mexico, joins Ambassador David M. Satterfield to examine what Oseguera’s death could mean for Mexico’s fight against organized crime and the evolving role of the United States in that effort.
They discuss U.S. involvement in the operation, the political and security pressures facing President Claudia Sheinbaum as she intensifies the government’s campaign against cartels, and the potential implications for U.S.–Mexico security cooperation. At the heart of the conversation is a critical question: Will this operation strengthen the rule of law in Mexico or trigger another cycle of violence?
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 26, 2026
Mentioned in this episode:
- Tony Payan
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The United States has launched strikes on Iran — and global energy markets are already reacting. How far could this escalation reach, from the Strait of Hormuz to gasoline prices and electricity bills here at home?
Ambassador David M. Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is joined by Kenneth B. Medlock III, director of the Center for Energy Studies, to unpack the energy implications of rising tensions in the Middle East.
They explore how potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could affect oil and liquefied natural gas flows, why the difference between kinetic threats and commercial risk matters, and how insurers and transport markets respond in moments of geopolitical uncertainty. The conversation also examines the short- and long-term impacts on global energy trade — including consequences for Europe, China, South Asia, and Russia — before turning to what American consumers may feel most directly: price changes at the pump and shifts in electricity costs tied to natural gas.
This conversation was recorded on March 3, 2026.
Featured:
- Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D.
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What happens to the economy when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a major Trump administration tariff strategy? On Feb. 20, 2026, the Court struck down sweeping tariffs imposed under emergency authority, forcing a rapid policy shift and raising new questions about trade, markets, and the federal budget.
In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Ambassador David M. Satterfield is joined by John W. Diamond, director of the Baker Institute Center for Tax and Budget Policy, to break down the economic impact of the ruling. They discuss whether tariffs delivered on promises to boost manufacturing and generate revenue, how their removal could affect deficits and inflation, and why uncertainty — more than any single policy — may shape the outlook for businesses and global markets. The conversation also examines what tariff tools remain available to the administration and what comes next for U.S. trade policy.
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 23, 2026.
Featured:
- Ambassador David M. Satterfield
- John W. Diamond, Ph.D.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Learning Resources, Inc., et al. v. Trump, President of the United States, et al., U.S. Supreme Court, announced February 20, 2026.
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For decades, global trade operated under a relatively stable set of rules, but that framework is now under pressure. During the second Trump administration, tariffs have expanded, alliances have shifted, and institutions such as the World Trade Organization have faced new challenges. What does this evolving U.S. trade policy mean for prices, jobs, global partnerships, and the future of the international trading system?
Tony Payan, director of the Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico, is joined by fellows Simon Lester and David A. Gantz to discuss how trade policy shapes prices, employment, and diplomacy — and why tariffs have become a defining feature of the second Trump administration’s economic strategy.
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 19, 2026.
Featured:
- Tony Payan
- Simon Lester
- David A. Gantz
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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
What are critical minerals, how are they used, and why do they matter for national security? In an era of globalized supply chains, how vulnerable is the United States to disruptions?
Michelle Michot Foss, former fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, joins Ambassador David M. Satterfield to examine how rare earth elements underpin civilian products, advanced technologies, and military equipment. She also discusses why national security hinges on industrial capacity as much as military strength and outlines potential strategies for securing access to essential materials.
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 9, 2026.
Featured:
- Michelle Michot Foss, Ph.D.
- Ambassador David M. Satterfield
Mentioned in this episode:
- Gabriel Collins and Michelle Michot Foss, “Critical Minerals and Materials Geoeconomics: Lessons and Ideas From Past Wars and Strategic Competitions,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
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The Trump administration has touted its tariff strategy as a historic economic success, citing record stock market highs, falling trade deficits, and “virtually no inflation.” But what do the numbers actually show? In this episode of “Baker Briefing”, Ambassador David Satterfield sits down with John W. Diamond, director of the Baker Institute’s Center for Tax and Budget Policy, to examine the data behind the administration’s claims. They break down who really pays for the tariffs, what is driving GDP growth, and whether inflation has truly fallen. This conversation offers an objective assessment of how tariffs are reshaping the U.S. economy and who ultimately benefits as a result.
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 10, 2026.
Featured:
- Ambassador David M. Satterfield
- John W. Diamond, Ph.D.
Mentioned in this episode:
- President Donald J. Trump, “My Tariffs Have Brought America Back,” Wall Street Journal.
- “The Two-Handed Economist” podcast, hosted by John W. Diamond.
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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Why has the role of religion in Texas public education become one of the most consequential policy battles in the state? What is at stake for religious liberty, church-state separation, and the future of education across the nation?
On the latest episode of the “Texas Briefing” podcast, another Baker Institute podcast, Baker Institute fellow and guest host Michael O. Emerson is joined by David R. Brockman to unpack how faith-based politics, Christian nationalism, and recent legislative actions are reshaping classrooms across Texas.
This is the second episode in a four-part series, “Between Pulpit and Policy,” exploring the rising influence of faith, particularly Christian nationalism, in Texas politics — and how it’s transforming public policy and governance. The series was produced in partnership with the Baker Institute Student Forum.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on Oct. 10, 2025. Learn about future live recordings of the “Texas Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
Featured:
- Michael O. Emerson, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michael-o-emerson
- David R. Brockman, Ph. D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/david-r-brockman
Mentioned in this episode:
- U.S. Supreme Court, “Kennedy v. Bremerton School District,” 2022 (link).
- Texas Senate Bill 10, 89th Leg., R.S., 2025 (PDF).
- David Barton, “In Defense of the Ten Commandments,” AFA Journal, The American Family Association, (2003) (link).
- Texas Senate Bill 763, 88th Leg., R.S., 2023 (link).
- Texas Senate Bill 11, 89th Leg., R.S., 2025 (PDF).
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This summer, North America is preparing to host the largest FIFA World Cup in history. Seventy-eight matches will be played across 11 American cities, but domestic politics have turned up the heat off the pitch. Questions around immigration policy, security, and global perception have intensified scrutiny of how the tournament may factor into broader U.S. efforts to redefine its international presence. Ambassador David M. Satterfield is joined by Middle East expert Dr. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen to discuss how sports are becoming a tool of diplomacy.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on Jan. 22, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Texas Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
Featured:
- Dr. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D.
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What do Iran’s converging challenges — environmental stress, economic strain, security concerns, and an unresolved nuclear file — signal for the country’s leadership, society, and role in the region? Mohammad Tabaar joined the podcast to discuss the internal and external pressures shaping Iran today, the choices Tehran may face in the months ahead, and what those decisions could mean for regional stability.
This conversation was recorded on Jan. 22, 2026.
Featured:
- Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Ph.D.
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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
What does the removal of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military force signal for the future of Venezuela’s oil industry? Francisco Monaldi and Kenneth B. Medlock III joined the podcast to discuss President Donald Trump’s recently released plan for taking over and selling the country’s crude oil, the risks and incentives for U.S. and international oil companies, and the implications for oil flows across Latin America.
This conversation was recorded on Jan. 12, 2026.
Featured guests:
- Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D.
- Francisco Monaldi, Ph.D.
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify,or your preferred podcast platform.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
In this bonus episode, we’re sharing a conversation with Ben Ginsberg, a high-profile elections lawyer and key figure in the 2000 Bush v. Gore litigation, from the elections conference we held last month in partnership with The Carter Center.
Ginsberg joined David Satterfield to discuss that landmark dispute 25 years later. Their conversation also explored contemporary electoral issues in the U.S., from the counting of mail-in ballots to partisan redistricting.
Our annual co-hosted elections conference is designed to build on the legacy of the 2005 bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, III. Our 2025 conference examined contested elections in the U.S. on the 25th anniversary of the landmark Bush v. Gore decision.
Featured:
- Ben Ginsberg, J.D., https://www.hoover.org/profiles/benjamin-ginsberg
Mentioned in this episode:
- “25 Years After Bush v. Gore: Contested Elections Then and Now, ” hosted at the Baker Institute on Dec. 8, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
A year into the second Trump administration, what does the latest data tell us about the U.S. economy, which the president touted in a primetime address last month? And what can the numbers tell us, given changes in how economic data is collected following the government shutdown?
John W. Diamond, director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy and host of “The Two-Handed Economist,” joined the podcast to discuss the latest on inflation and the labor market, the impact of tariffs, and what consumers and investors can expect in 2026.
This conversation was recorded on Dec. 16, 2025.
Featured:
- John W. Diamond, Ph.D.
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify,or your preferred podcast platform. Learn more about Diamond’s podcast here.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Iran is facing a cascade of domestic challenges, including a deepening currency crisis and drought so severe that President Masoud Pezeshkian has suggested residents of the capital city Tehran may need to evacuate. Meanwhile, strain is building over nuclear talks in the aftermath of the 12-day conflict with Israel and the U.S. in June 2025.
Middle East fellow Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss how the regime is managing these pressures — and redefining Iran’s national identity in the process.
Featured guest:
- Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/mohammad-ayatollahi-tabaar
This conversation was recorded on Dec. 8, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Without a last-minute extension of enhanced tax credits, Americans who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will see their premiums spike in January. How did we get here, and why are health care access and affordability such persistent policy challenges? Dr. Heidi Russell and Elena M. Marks joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss what happens when the ACA subsidy enhancements expire and offer insights for moving the U.S. health system forward.
Featured guests:
- Elena Marks, MPH, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/elena-m-marks
- Heidi Russell, MD, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/heidi-russell
This conversation was recorded on Nov. 20, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
On Oct. 30, journalist Julia Ioffe visited the Baker Institute to discuss her new book: “Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy.” This episode is a condensed version of her conversation with Alan Crain, chairman of the Houston Committee on Foreign Relations, on how women’s roles in Russia — from the Bolshevik revolution to the present — have both mirrored and shaped political power.
Want to watch the full event? View it on our website: https://bit.ly/3JPVg00.
Subscribe to our “Events Digest” newsletter to learn about upcoming Baker Institute events and how to join in person or via livestream: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
A water crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border is growing. The 1944 Water Treaty has long guided how both nations share the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers, but climate change, drought, and growing demand are testing its limits. Guest host Tony Payan speaks with Rosario Sanchez, a senior research scientist at the Texas Water Resources Institute, and Ivonne Cruz, a research scholar at the Baker Institute, about how to rethink water cooperation for an age of scarcity — and what it will take to build a more resilient future for both countries.
Featured guests:
- Ivonne Cruz, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/ivonne-cruz
- Rosario Sanchez, Ph.D., https://twri.tamu.edu/rosario-sanchez/
Mentioned in this episode:
- Mexico Country Outlook 2026, Rice University’s Baker Institute, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/mexico-country-outlook-2026
This conversation was recorded on Oct. 23, 2025. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
For the first time in decades, the U.S. immigrant population is declining — and with it, the country's long-held assumption of steady population growth. Bill King joins the podcast to discuss how demographic trends and President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration policies are shaping the nation’s future labor force, economy, and identity, as well the importance of rational immigration policy for dealing with the challenges of global depopulation.
This conversation was recorded on Oct. 13, 2025.
Featured guest:
- Bill King, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/bill-king
Mentioned in this episode:
- Bill King, Depopulation: Our New Demographic Reality (Stoney Creek Publishing, forthcoming).
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
The global humanitarian aid system is facing an existential crisis. Despite more than 300 million people in need of urgent aid in 2025 — nearly four times the number from just a decade ago — countries around the world have slashed aid budgets. The U.S. alone has cut nearly $8 billion in aid funding under President Donald Trump, in addition to his administration’s far-reaching dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Now, the sector must move quickly and strategically to survive and continue to respond to humanitarian emergencies around the world. Sonali Korde, a Baker Institute visiting fellow and former head of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, joined a live recording of the podcast to explore the current upheaval and possible avenues for systemic reform.
This conversation was recorded on Oct. 9, 2025.
Featured guests:
- Sonali Korde, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/sonali-korde
Mentioned in this episode:
- Sonali Korde, “Strengthening the Humanitarian Sector Brick by Brick,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, August 11, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
China Studies Program experts Steven Lewis and Brandon Zheng join guest host Michael Emerson to explore how governments and organizations around the world are leveraging digital platforms in increasingly savvy ways — from TikTok videos to anime mascots — to spread political messaging and shape public opinion. They draw on their recent research examining urban propaganda in China and the use of “cuteness” as a communication tool to illustrate how the global political landscape has transformed in the age of digital media.
This conversation was recorded on Sept. 26, 2025.
Featured:
- Steven Lewis, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/steven-w-lewis
- Brandon Zheng, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/steven-w-lewis
- Michael Emerson, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michael-o-emerson
Mentioned in this episode:
- Brandon Zheng, “The Conquest of Cute: Political Communication, Public Diplomacy, and Anime,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, September 4, 2025.
- Brandon Zheng and Steven W. Lewis, “Central Versus Local Propaganda Under Xi Jinping: An Introduction to Images in the China Urban Outdoor Propaganda Image Archive, 1998 to 2019,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, June 3, 2025.
- Thomas Frank, The Conquest of Cool: Business Culture, Counterculture, and the Rise of Hip Consumerism(The University of Chicago Press, 1997).
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
What does the acceleration of artificial intelligence mean for higher education, from the admissions process to students’ academic and intellectual development? How can students learn to engage responsibly with AI, and what does it mean for the early graduate labor market?
Baker Institute fellow and guest host Michael Emerson sat down with Rice University Provost Amy Dittmar, University of Houston Associate Provost Jeff Morgan, and Burke Nixon, a core lecturer in Rice’s writing and communication program, to discuss the advent of AI and its implications for colleges and universities.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on September 17, 2025.
Featured:
- Michael Emerson, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michael-o-emerson
- Amy Dittmar, Ph.D., https://profiles.rice.edu/faculty/amy-dittmar
- Jeffrey Morgan, Ph.D., https://www.uh.edu/provost/about/office-of-the-provost-leadership/jeff-morgan/index.php
- Burke Nixon, https://pwc.rice.edu/about-us/lecturers/burke-nixon
Mentioned in this episode:
- “Opinion: No, AI chatbots haven't killed the college essay. Here's why,” www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/ChatGPT-AI-technology-writing-obsolete-college-17680035.php
Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
The Baker Institute’s Kirstin Matthews and Rekha Lakshmanan join the podcast to discuss recent policy developments under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again commission, plus the persistent — and dangerous — misinformation linking autism with vaccines.
This conversation was recorded on Sept. 15, 2025.
Featured guests:
- Kirstin Matthews, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kirstin-rw-matthews
- Rekha Lakshmanan, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/rekha-lakshmanan
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Fellow for the Middle East Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar joins the podcast to discuss the geopolitical and diplomatic fallout from the 12-day Israel-Iran war. He explores Iran’s internal politics in the aftermath of the conflict, the future of its nuclear program, and the regional balance of power.
Featured:
- Mohammad Tabaar, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/mohammad-ayatollahi-tabaar
Mentioned in this episode:
- Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, “The Islamic Republic’s New Lease on Life,” Foreign Affairs, July 8, 2025.
This conversation was recorded on Sept. 5, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Baker Institute Director David M. Satterfield sits down with Karina Zemel, lead producer of the “Baker Briefing” podcast, to discuss the challenges of communicating policy in a politically polarized era and the conversations ahead on Season 2 of the podcast.
We’re taking a short break as we gear up to launch Season 2 of the podcast next week. But we’re excited to share the latest episode of “The Two-Handed Economist,” a podcast from our Center for Tax and Budget Policy.
On this episode, John Diamond explores three major economic developments from the past week, including a federal appeals ruling that struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and new jobs numbers that show an increasingly fragile labor market. John breaks down what all this means and how a reversal of Trump’s tariffs could help the Fed save the economy.
This conversation was recorded on Sept. 3, 2025.
Clips used in this episode:
- “BREAKING: U.S. appeals court rules Trump's global tariffs are illegal,” NBC News, August 29, 2025.
- “‘US will be destroyed if…’” The Economic Times, September 1, 2025.
- “Trump ends tariff exemption for low-value packages,” CNN, August 29, 2025.
- “US July Jolts Report: Job openings fall by 176,000,” Bloomberg Television, September 3, 2025.
Follow John Diamond on X (@jw_diamond) and LinkedIn.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the major budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last month, includes important changes to federal energy policy — among them, an earlier end to wind and solar tax credits than outlined in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and expanded support for nuclear and geothermal energy, as well as fossil fuels.
Center for Energy Studies Senior Director Ken Medlock joined the podcast to discuss the bill’s implications for the clean energy landscape and the key role of energy markets in dictating the future success of decarbonization and broader efforts to tackle climate change.
Featured:
- Ken Medlock, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kenneth-b-medlock-iii
This conversation was recorded on Aug. 6, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Texas Republicans are moving to redraw the state’s congressional district map and flip five House seats for the GOP — an unusual mid-decade redistricting effort that comes at the urging of President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. To block the map’s passage, Texas Democrats have fled the state, denying Republican state leaders the quorum needed to hold a vote.
Political science fellow Mark P. Jones joined “Baker Briefing” to break down the political standoff and what’s at stake for electoral politics in Texas and nationwide.
Featured:
- Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/mark-p-jones
This conversation was recorded on Aug. 5, 2025.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://bit.ly/47jPYD6
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
One of the striking trends in American religion and politics over the past decade has been the extent to which Christians have rallied around President Donald Trump. Their support has been most pronounced among white evangelicals, but the president has gained electoral ground with nearly all Christian denominations since his first term.
Trump hasn’t just appealed to Christian voters through rhetoric. He’s also courted them through policy. Recent examples include a new task force to “eradicate anti-Christian bias” in the federal government and a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the vast budget package signed into law earlier this month, that strips Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. (The Hyde Amendment already prohibits federal funds from being used to cover abortions in nearly all cases.)
Seven months into Trump’s second term, how do his policies measure up for his Christian base? Michael Emerson, director of the Baker Institute Religion and Public Program, joined the podcast to help unpack how Christian support affects Trump’s policy agenda — and vice versa.
Mentioned in this episode:
- The Godless Crusade: Religion, Populism, and Right-Wing Identity Politics in the West by Tobias Cremer
- “My beautiful ‘practicing’ Christians: As churchgoers’ numbers shrink, their social views grow more similar” by Michael Emerson
This conversation was recorded on July 24, 2025.
Access a transcript of this episode.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
As Harris County judge, Ed Emmett led the emergency response to weather disasters in the Houston region for nearly 12 years. Bill King is the former mayor of Kemah, Texas, and served on two Texas commissions studying the aftermath of deadly Hurricanes Rita and Ike.
They draw on their experience in disaster mitigation and response and offer reflections on the devastating Texas Hill Country floods, the second deadliest flood event in state history, as a special legislative session begins in Austin and lawmakers put forth proposals for strengthening weather communications and warning systems.
Featured guests:
- Ed Emmett, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/edward-m-emmett
- Bill King, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/bill-king
This conversation was recorded on July 17, 2025.
A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/4o2pNqx
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
What is Christian nationalism, and why is it having a moment in U.S. politics? And what does it mean for democracy in our increasingly diverse and pluralistic society?
The ideology’s influence hasn’t faded with the dawn of the second Donald Trump administration, and it’s worth returning to this episode, originally released in October 2024, in which our Religion and Public Policy Program experts Michael Emerson and David Brockman explain what Christian nationalism is (and isn’t), what its proponents want to accomplish, and what makes the current iteration of the movement different from what we’ve previously seen in U.S. history.
The conversation is a primer for understanding related developments in U.S. and state-level politics today (which we'll explore in future episodes), including recent policy actions by the Trump administration and new public education measures in Texas.
Among these: the state’s adoption of a controversial “Bible-infused” reading and language arts curriculum for K-5 students, which Brockman reviews in a new report out today from the Baker Institute.
Featured guests:
- David Brockman, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/david-r-brockman
- Michael Emerson, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michael-o-emerson
Mentioned:
- David Brockman, “Texas’ ‘Bible-Infused’ Public School Curriculum Raises Church–State Questions”
- David French, “What Is Christian Nationalism, Exactly?”
A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/46GyWig
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
John Diamond, director of our Center for Tax and Budget Policy and host of “The Two-Handed Economist,” analyzed the macroeconomic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the sprawling tax-and-spending package now signed into law by President Donald Trump — using the Diamond-Zodrow model of the U.S. economy. The results?
The package could modestly boost GDP — but the long-term benefits are limited. It will drastically increase the debt-to-GDP ratio, leading to a crowd-out of private capital and a decline in investment over time. Hear Diamond lay out the good, the bad, and the ugly in the legislation on the podcast with Baker Institute director David Satterfield.
Featured: John Diamond, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/john-w-diamond
Mentioned in this episode:
John Diamond, “Macroeconomic Effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, “The Meh Tax Bill That Has To Pass”
James Baker III and John Diamond, “DOGE Won’t Be Enough to Get the Federal Debt Under Control”
This conversation was recorded on July 2, 2025. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/46s24cY
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
The Middle East has undergone major shifts over the past 18 months, not least the Israel-Iran war that lasted for 12 days earlier this month and saw Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. A conversation with former diplomats Daniel Kurtzer and Aaron David Miller this past May illustrates the political dynamics shaping the future of power in the region, Israel’s war in Gaza, and the evolving U.S.-Israel relationship.
This conversation was recorded at a Baker Institute event on May 15, 2025.
Featured guests:
- Former Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, https://spia.princeton.edu/faculty/dkurtzer
- Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, https://carnegieendowment.org/people/aaron-david-miller?lang=en
Learn about future events and live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://bit.ly/3I59qZR
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
The U.S. is currently hosting the FIFA Men’s Club World Cup, an international competition between soccer club teams and the prelude to the larger and more widely anticipated FIFA Men’s World Cup hosted next summer across 16 North American cities. (The latter tournament is played between countries, instead of clubs.)
Fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen explains why these competitions and other global sports tournaments aren’t just entertainment, but a space where politics, economics, and diplomacy increasingly intersect, with a look in particular at the case of Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Coates Ulrichsen is the author of the forthcoming book “Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer,” which will be published by Hurst on Aug. 21. The book goes beyond the popular term “sportswashing” to explore how and why Saudi Arabia burst onto the international soccer stage in 2023 and won the rights to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2034.
Featured:
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kristian-coates-ulrichsen
X: https://x.com/Dr_Ulrichsen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianulrichsen/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kristianulrichsen.bsky.social
Mentioned in this episode:
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer (Hurst, 2025), https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/kingdom-of-football/ (forthcoming).
This conversation was recorded on June 3, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
This is the second episode in a two-part conversation on the challenges facing Mexico domestically and in its relationship with the United States.
Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico, joins “Baker Briefing” to examine the host of issues facing the U.S.-Mexico relationship under Presidents Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum. His conversation with David Satterfield covers tariffs and the future of the North American trade agreement, Trump’s executive order designating cartels as terrorists — which has led to U.S. visa restrictions for some Mexican politicians — and the brewing water crisis facing Sheinbaum as drought at the border persists.
Featured:
Tony Payan, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan
Follow Tony on X: https://x.com/PayanTony
Follow Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-payan-373bb870/
This conversation was recorded on May 14, 2025. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/3ZVKOIX
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
This is the first episode in a two-part conversation on the challenges facing Mexico domestically and in its relationship with the United States.
Mexico held its first judicial elections on June 1, following last year’s sweeping overhaul of the judiciary. Center for the U.S. and Mexico Director Tony Payan joins “Baker Briefing” to discuss the implications of the reforms and other domestic challenges facing President Claudia Sheinbaum as she carries forward the political project of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador — including Mexico’s complex public safety landscape and mounting public debt.
Featured:
Tony Payan, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan
Follow Tony on X: https://x.com/PayanTony
Follow Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-payan-373bb870/
This conversation was recorded on May 14, 2025. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/445QmTK
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Introducing “Texas Briefing,” a new podcast that brings expert insights into the challenges shaping life in the Lone Star State. Institute scholars and their guests will untangle issues in health, the economy, climate resilience, and more to understand how policy matters are impacting communities, from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast.
In our first series, senior health policy fellow Elena Marks explores issues in reproductive health — including new abortion legislation, teen access to contraception, and the impact of the abortion ban on the state’s OB-GYN workforce pipeline — with guests Eleanor Klibanoff of The Texas Tribune, Kari White of Resound Research for Reproductive Health, and Manatt Health’s Alex Morin.
Listen to the first two episodes in the series now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more on our website: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/texas-briefing
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Drs. Sandra McKay and Eric Fleegler, both experts in the Baker Institute Firearm Injury Prevention and Safety Program, joined “Baker Briefing” to discuss the worsening gun injury epidemic ahead of our fourth annual firearm injury prevention conference on June 6.
They discussed areas of consensus among firearm-owners and non-owners alike, including child access prevention laws and age purchasing regulations, and prospects for commonsense gun legislation at the Texas and national levels.
Featured guests:
- Sandra McKay, M.D., FAAP, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/sandra-mckay
- Eric Fleegler, M.D., MPH, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/eric-fleegler
Mentioned in this episode:
- Christopher F. Kulesza et al., “The State of Student Mental Health in Houston Schools,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, May 13, 2025, https://doi.org/10.25613/6823-6W19.
This conversation was recorded on May 20, 2025.
A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/3SnjEXs
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
In its first months, the second Trump administration has upended the alliances, institutions, and norms that have anchored U.S. foreign policy for decades — hiking tariffs on virtually all countries, downplaying U.S. military commitments, and all but dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. Meanwhile, as the U.S. steps back from a world order that’s largely of its own making, China is attempting to fill the void.
Steven Lewis, director of the Baker Institute China Studies Program, joined “Baker Briefing” to discuss what China’s global soft power campaign looks like and how successful it’s proven thus far.
Featured guest:
- Steven Lewis, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/steven-w-lewis
This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2025.
A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/43djVT8.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Syria’s 13-year civil war came to a stunning end on Dec. 8, 2024, when rebel fighters led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham succeeded in toppling the brutal dictatorship of Bashar Assad. With the country now deeply fragmented and impoverished, what will the future of governance be under the transitional government of Ahmad al-Sharaa?
Rana B. Khoury, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Ibrahim Al-Assil, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, joined “Baker Briefing” to discuss the regional reaction to Dec. 8, the structural challenges facing the rebuilding process, and prospects for the return of refugees and internally displaced Syrians.
Featured guests:
- Ibrahim Al-Assil, DIA, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute, https://www.mei.edu/profile/ibrahim-al-assil
- Rana B. Khoury, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, https://ranakhoury.com/
This conversation was recorded on April 29, 2025. A transcript of this episode is available here.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Federal hospital price transparency rules went into effect in 2021. Four years later, hospitals across the country — including the four largest hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, as assessed in a new Baker Institute brief — still aren’t complying. On this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Vivian Ho explains why opacity in pricing is a key driver of rising health care costs and what policymakers can do to tackle the problem.
Mentioned in this episode:
Derek Jenkins, Sasathorn Tapaneeyakul, and Vivian Ho, “Prices Versus Costs: Unpacking Rising US Hospital Profits,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, September 6, 2024.
Lunna Lopes et al., “Americans’ Challenges With Health Care Costs,” KFF, March 1, 2024, https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/americans-challenges-with-health-care-costs/.
Shameek Rakshit et al., “The Burden of Medical Debt in the United States,” Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, February 12, 2024, https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/.
Sebastian Spataro Solorzano, Blake Davidson, and Vivian Ho, “Revisiting Price Transparency at Texas Medical Center Hospitals,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, April 29, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Additional sources for this episode:
American Hospital Association, Trend Watch Chartbook 2018: Trends Affecting Hospitals and Health Systems (2018), https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2022/11/2018-TrendWatch-Chartbook-Full.pdf.
Zach Cooper et al., “The Price Ain’t Right? Hospital Prices and Health Spending on the Privately Insured,” The Quarterly Journal of Economics 134, no. 1 (February 2019): 51–107, https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjy020.
Health Affairs, “The Role Of Administrative Waste In Excess US Health Spending,” October 6, 2022, https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/briefs/role-administrative-waste-excess-us-health-spending.
- Salpy Kanimian and Vivian Ho, “Why Does the Cost of Employer-Sponsored Coverage Keep Rising?,” Health Affairs Scholar 2, no. 6 (June 2024), qxae078, https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae078.
- Lunna Lopes et al., “Health Care Debt in the U.S.: The Broad Consequences of Medical and Dental Bills,” KFF, June 16, 2022, https://www.kff.org/report-section/kff-health-care-debt-survey-main-findings/.
- Anne Martin et al., “National Health Expenditures in 2023: Faster Growth as Insurance Coverage and Utilization Increased,” Health Affairs 44, no. 1 (2025): 12–22, https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01375.
- Anu Singh, “Hospital and Health System M&A in Review: Financial Pressures Emerge as Key Driver in 2023,” Kaufman Hall, January 18, 2024, https://www.kaufmanhall.com/insights/research-report/2023-hospital-and-health-system-ma-review.
- Laura Tollen, Elizabeth Keating, Alan Weil, “How Administrative Spending Contributes to Excess US Health Spending,” Health Affairs, February 20, 2020, https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/administrative-spending-contributes-excess-us-health-spending.
We’re in a new era of discovery in the history of artificial intelligence, but rapid advances in the technology are also bringing major risks. Moshe Vardi, a leading expert in computational engineering and Baker Institute fellow, joins the podcast to discuss the ethical and strategic choices on AI facing the U.S. amid its competition with China and the unintended consequences of outsourcing our thinking to machines.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Moshe Vardi, “Big Tech, You Need Academia. Speak Up!,” Communications of the ACM 68, no. 5 (2025): 5, https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3727870.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on April 17, 2025. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
With its aggressive mass deportation campaign, the Trump administration is attempting to reshape long-standing U.S. immigration policy — and increasingly defying constitutional guardrails in the process.
On this episode, experts examine the legal and social implications of the administration’s unconventional targeting of legal permanent and temporary residents, asylum seekers, and even foreign students, and well as the administration’s overt challenges to judicial authority and due process rights.
Host David Satterfield was joined by Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico; Luz Maria Garcini, assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice University and director of the Center for Community and Public Health at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research; and David Donatti, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas and lecturer at Rice.
This conversation was recorded on April 21, 2025, in front of a live studio audience. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Introducing “The Two-Handed Economist” — a new podcast with timely analysis of economic policy developments from John Diamond, director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy.
Why a two-handed economist? President Harry Truman famously asked for a one-handed economist, tired of hearing, “On the one hand, this,” and “On the other hand, that.” On “The Two-Handed Economist,” we embrace the complexity that a one-handed economist might shy away from.
Our first episode dives deep into the economic fallout from the Trump administration’s sweeping new tariffs, unpacking the market turmoil, impacts for consumers, and global response. A transcript is available here.
Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform.
Mentioned:
“Innovation and Trade Policy in a Globalized World” by Ufuk Akcigit (University of Chicago, NBER, CEPR), Sina T. Ates (Federal Reserve Board), and Giammario Impullitti (University of Nottingham), 2021.
This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
April 15 marked the second anniversary of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a conflict that has resulted in 150,000 people killed, over 10 million displaced, and an estimated 25 million at risk of starvation.
Sudan has seen civil war before in its tumultuous postcolonial history — but this conflict is different. Susan Stigant, former director of the Africa Program at the U.S. Institute for Peace, and Salah Ben Hammou, a postdoctoral associate at the Baker Institute Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East, explore the political and ethnic tensions fueling the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the impacts of aid budget cuts, and prospects for peace and rebuilding.
This episode was guest-hosted by Kelsey Norman, fellow for the Middle East and director of the Women’s Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program. It was recorded on April 15, 2025.
Follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
The Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and aid budget cuts in the U.K., France, and other Western countries present a stark turning point for the international humanitarian aid system.
Sonali Korde, the Baker Institute’s MD Anderson Visiting Fellow and the former assistant to the administrator of the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance at USAID, joined Ambassador David M. Satterfield to explore the far-reaching implications of these shifts, as well as the past role of foreign aid in promoting U.S. interests — and the challenge of justifying such aid domestically.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on April 8, 2025.
Follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, meaning it was stopped from spreading freely. But that’s no longer the case. By April 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported more than 480 cases nationwide and one death in 2025.
Meanwhile, social media and podcasting platforms are rife with misinformation about the severity of the virus and the development, efficacy, and side effects of vaccines, helping drive vaccination rates in the U.S. ever lower. The result: a rapidly spreading measles outbreak and a threat to the hard-won public health gains made possible from decades of vaccination.
So how exactly did we get here, and what do we do now?
Dr. Peter Hotez, a Baker Institute fellow, vaccine scientist, physician, and public health advocate, joined Director David M. Satterfield to discuss the causes and consequences of the West Texas outbreak at a March 26 Baker Institute event. Their conversation has been condensed for this episode of “Baker Briefing.”
(You can watch the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/3R7iVJi.)
Follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Debates around gain-of-function research, which genetically alters an organism to give it new functions, became highly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public figures began to speculate that the virus responsible was created through gain-of-function experiments in Wuhan, China.
But many scientists maintain that this kind of research helps us to understand and respond to emerging viral threats, like the H5N1 virus, or bird flu. So just how important is gain-of-function research, and what oversight mechanisms are in place to reduce the hazards that yet other scientists say make these experiments too risky?
The Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Program’s Kirstin R.W. Matthews and Alicia L. Johnson and Rice University biosciences professor Yousif Shamoo joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss the risks, benefits, and guardrails surrounding gain-of-function research — and why federal budget cuts and layoffs will make the endeavor less secure.
This episode was recorded on March 20, 2025.
Follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Like other urban districts around the country, Houston Independent School District (HISD) has seen enrollment drop significantly over the past decade. But while the district’s schools are under capacity overall, with an average campus utilization rate of 77%, some of its campuses are meanwhile facing a paradoxical challenge: overcrowding.
Bill King, co-author of a recent Center for Tax and Budget Policy report on disparities in HISD campus utilization, and Erin Baumgartner, director of the Houston Education Research Consortium at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Policy, joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to explore what’s causing the imbalance, how the state’s proposed school voucher legislation could factor in, and paths forward for HISD.
This conversation was recorded on March 18, 2025. Read the report from King and co-authors Joyce Beebe and John Diamond:
https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/disparities-houston-school-campus-utilization
The climate crisis is driving more and more people around the world to leave their homes and communities, often permanently. This isn’t an issue for the distant future: 26.4 million displacements related to natural disasters and slow-onset events like drought and sea-level rise were recorded around the world in 2023 alone.
Julia Blocher, a project lead at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and a visiting scholar at the Baker Institute this spring, joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss the phenomenon of climate migration around the world and in the United States. Together, Blocher and David M. Satterfield explore the relationship between climate change and migration, the disproportionate impacts for disadvantaged people and marginalized groups, and why it’s important to understand migration as a possible adaptation to the climate crisis.
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 18, 2025.
School voucher programs — also known as education savings accounts or school choice — allow families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. They have swept across the U.S. over the past decade, and now the Texas Legislature looks poised to enact a school voucher program of its own.
In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Ed Emmett sits down with Christopher Kulesza, a scholar in child health policy at the Baker Institute, to break down what a Texas school voucher program might look like and what it could mean for schools and families across the state.
For more, read Kulesza’s recent brief: “How to Design a Fiscally Responsible School Choice Program in Texas.”
Can art be a tool for diplomacy? How can cultural exchange shape foreign policy?
In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” William Luers joins David M. Satterfield to discuss the intersections of art, diplomacy, and international relations. Drawing from his time as a U.S. diplomat in Europe and Latin America and as president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Luers explores how cultural engagement has advanced important dialogue — from the Cold War to contemporary geopolitical challenges.
This conversation was recorded in front of a studio audience on Feb. 13, 2025, at an event co-sponsored by Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts.
Houston’s Third Ward is one of the city’s most historic Black neighborhoods. It’s also the site of longstanding and consequential debates about gentrification and redevelopment. Urban revitalization is meant to spur economic growth and benefit inner-city communities like the Third Ward — but do the changes actually benefit existing small business owners?
Economist Alisha Small joined David Satterfield to discuss her research into the impact of urban revitalization efforts on small businesses in Houston’s Third Ward.
For more, read Small’s recent working paper: “The Economic Interdependence of the Developed and the Developing: Two Decades of Urban Revitalization and Its Economic Impact on Third Ward Small Businesses.”
This conversation was recorded on Jan. 30, 2025.
Donald Trump entered office promising to be the “America First” president. But what does that mean for U.S. foreign policy? And what challenges and opportunities will Trump and Marco Rubio, his secretary of state, face regarding the Middle East, Ukraine, and the nation’s global alliances?
In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” David Satterfield sits down with Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a veteran foreign policy advisor. Together, they break down the administration’s approach to key geopolitical issues, from Gaza to NATO commitments.
This conversation was recorded on Jan. 22, 2025.
Since entering office for the second time, President Donald Trump has made clear his intention to impose tariffs on goods imported from Canada, Mexico, and China. What do his tariff plans mean for American industries and consumers — and for our relationships with our largest trading partners?
Baker Institute experts John W. Diamond, Ken Medlock, Tony Payan, and Steven W. Lewis joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss.
This conversation was recorded in front of a studio audience on Feb. 6, 2025.
The 89th Texas legislative session began on Jan. 14 with Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) elected House speaker following a month-long battle among state Republicans. Why was the election so contentious, and how might Burrows’ speakership shape the rest of the session? Political science fellow Mark P. Jones joined Ed Emmett, a Baker Institute colleague and four-term former Texas House member, to discuss the stakes and policy agenda ahead for lawmakers, including school vouchers, property taxes, and the border.
Joe Biden entered office with plans to prioritize American workers in foreign policy and strengthen U.S. alliances against the threats posed by China and Russia. His administration would ultimately face significant crises abroad, from Ukraine to Gaza, that tested his vision for American diplomacy and brought new challenges and opportunities to the fore.
On Dec. 17, 2024, Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state, and Jon Finer, principal deputy national security advisor, joined David Satterfield for a conversation on the president’s legacy as he prepares to exit office and as Donald Trump gears up for a second term. Video of the event is available on our YouTube channel.
Since Texas prohibited most abortions in 2022 following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, numerous media reports have illustrated the dire impacts of reproductive health care restrictions on Texan patients, including people with nonviable and life-threatening pregnancies.
On Oct. 10, 2024, the Baker Institute hosted three health care professionals and the executive editor of Texas Monthly, Mimi Swartz, to discuss the impact of Texas law on the state’s OB-GYN workforce and the future of Texas reproductive health. This episode of “Baker Briefing” presents an unabridged version of their conversation.
Discussants
Alex Morin Managing Director, Manatt Health
Damla Karsan, MD, FACOG Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Comprehensive Women’s Healthcare, UWH of Texas
Todd Ivey, MD, FACOG Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Associate Professor, Government Affairs Committee, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Mimi Swartz Executive Editor, Texas Monthly
How will critical issues for the U.S.-Mexico relationship, including immigration, trade, and drug trafficking, evolve during Donald Trump’s second term? Four days before Trump nominated Christoper Landau, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, to be deputy secretary of state, Landau joined Center for the U.S. and Mexico Tony Payan to discuss what may lie ahead.
For more about the future of U.S.-Mexico relations, read our “Mexico Country Outlook” report for 2025.
Discussants
The Honorable Christoper Landau Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Tony Payan, Ph.D. Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute
The U.S. has supported Ukraine with over $61 billion worth of military assistance since Russia’s invasion in 2022, including a surge of aid from the Joe Biden administration in his final weeks in office. With Donald Trump set to return for a second term, how might his administration change the approach to Ukraine — and to Russia more broadly?
Glenn Corn, a former senior executive and intelligence officer in the CIA and current adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics, joined Baker Briefing to discuss steps Trump could take and why the war’s outcome matters for American interests.
Discussants
Glenn Corn Former Senior Executive, CIA
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
Originally designed to spur investment in the city’s most underserved areas, Houston’s tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) have been a major part of its growth strategy since the 1990s. But they may actually be disproportionately benefiting affluent communities — and shifting the burden of municipal expenses to lower-income neighborhoods.
Center for Public Finance fellows John Diamond and Bill King, who recently co-authored a Baker Institute report on the topic, joined Baker Briefing to discuss the issue and policy options moving forward.
Discussants
John W. Diamond, Ph.D. Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Senior Fellow in Public Finance and Director, Center for Public Finance, Baker Institute
Bill King Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
With the development of the COVID-19 vaccine in late 2020, anti-vaccine rhetoric in the U.S. expanded dramatically. Vaccines have been routinely recommended in the U.S. since the early 20th century, and they have significantly reduced the prevalence of diseases like polio, measles, and tetanus. But with the pandemic, what was once a mostly politically neutral topic — immunization — became a politically controversial one in much of the country. Kirstin Matthews, a fellow in science and technology policy at the Baker Institute, and Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategic officer of The Immunization Partnership and a Baker Institute nonresident scholar, joined Baker Briefing to explore the discourse surrounding vaccines, their politicization, and what’s ahead for vaccine policy under the incoming Donald Trump administration. Discussants
Rekha Lakshmanan Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute; Chief Strategic Officer, The Immunization Partnership
Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D. Science and Technology Policy Fellow, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
Armed conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Syria have made millions reliant on humanitarian assistance. However, the provision of critical food, water, health care, and other resource assistance has been complicated by the politicization of aid, highlighted by the recent decision by the Israeli parliament to ban UNRWA, the primary aid organization for Palestinians.
Women’s Rights, Human Rights, and Refugees Program director Kelsey Norman and postdoctoral associate Salah Ben Hammou joined Baker Briefing to discuss the parallels between the dire situations in Gaza, Sudan, and Syria and the complexities of delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn regions.
Discussants
Kelsey Norman, Ph.D. Fellow for the Middle East and Director, Women’s Rights, Human Rights, and Refugees Program, Baker Institute
Salah Ben Hammou, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Associate, Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
Clean electricity technologies are here and they’re affordable. So why does most of our power in the U.S. still come from fossil fuels? Daniel Cohan, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Rice University and a Baker Institute Rice faculty scholar, joined Baker Briefing to explain how bureaucratic bottlenecks have led to a backlog of wind, solar, and battery storage power projects that could, if built, revolutionize the grid and greatly reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution. Discussants
Daniel S. Cohan, Ph.D. Baker Institute Rice Faculty Scholar; Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute
What role should religion — and Christianity in particular — play in public life? This question is at the center of legislative battles brewing in statehouses across the country. It stems largely from the growing influence of Christian nationalism, an ideology based around the idea that the United States is a Christian nation and that its government should follow conservative Christian religious principles.
Religion and Public Policy Program experts Michael Emerson and David Brockman joined Baker Institute Director David Satterfield to explore the evolution of the Christian nationalist movement, its support among the U.S. electorate, and its implications for public policy in Texas and across the country.
Discussants
David R. Brockman, Ph.D. Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute
Michael O. Emerson, Ph.D. Harry and Hazel Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
Despite spending more on health care by percentage of GDP than its peer high-income countries, the U.S. hasn’t seen the abundance of services or improved outcomes for patients that one might expect. Instead, as medical costs increase, U.S. health outcomes continue to lag behind those of other developed nations.
Texas, which spends nearly $50 billion on health care annually, performs poorly relative to other states on key metrics like maternal mortality and deaths from preventable or treatable causes. But with its recent investments in health-impacting, non-medical services, it has a unique opportunity to get more value from its spending, according to Elena Marks, senior health policy fellow, and Charles Mathias, director of the Texas Consortium for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health. Marks and Mathias joined the Baker Briefing podcast to discuss how we can invest smarter for better health outcomes at both the state and federal levels.
For more from Marks and Mathias, read the report “Enhancing Texas’ Health Care Investments by Addressing Patients’ Non-Medical Needs,” published in September 2024.
Discussants
Elena Marks, J.D., MPH Senior Health Policy Fellow, Baker Institute
Charles Mathias, Ph.D. Director, Texas Consortium for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
On July 1, 2026, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will decide whether or not to continue the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which entered into force in 2020. How can policymakers prepare for the negotiations and continue to work toward a strategic, mutually beneficial North American partnership?
This episode of Baker Briefing was originally published by the México Centered podcast. Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney and David A. Gantz, the Baker Institute’s Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics, joined host Tony Payan to explore major challenges on the horizon for U.S. trade policy, including the upcoming review of the USMCA and the rising influence of China.
Want to learn more? Watch “Election Insights: The Future of US Trade Policy,” a Baker Institute event held on Sept. 19.
This conversation was recorded on Sept. 19, 2024, before the inauguration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Oct. 1, 2024.
Discussants
David A. Gantz Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics, Baker Institute; Samuel M. Fegtly Professor Emeritus, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona
C.J. Mahoney Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Cloud + AI, Microsoft; Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Tony Payan, Ph.D. Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute
Late last month, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico announced a “pause” in relations with the U.S. embassy. These latest tensions between the two countries came after U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar criticized López Obrador’s proposed judicial reforms, which include electing judges by popular vote. Salazar called this measure “a major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy.”
When Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, López Obrador’s protégé, takes office on Oct. 1, she will inherit the strained relationship with the U.S. and a host of other challenges facing Mexico. Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico, joined Baker Briefing to discuss the issues setting the backdrop for the new Sheinbaum administration and how she may — or may not — diverge from López Obrador’s playbook.
For more on the key policy issues facing Mexico, including its relations with the U.S., read “Mexico Country Outlook 2024,” this year’s edition of the flagship report by the Center for the U.S. and Mexico.
Discussants
Tony Payan, Ph.D. Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
How might the future of energy unfold? Ken Medlock joined the Baker Briefing podcast to discuss the latest insights from our Center for Energy Studies experts on energy markets, geopolitics, sustainability, technology, and more
A glimpse into their research is compiled in “Energy Insights 2024,” a collection of articles designed to illuminate paths forward for policymakers and industry leaders. View or download the report here.
Discussants
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D. James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
The right to believe what you want is baked into the fabric of American society. But throughout U.S. history, there has been considerable disagreement over how much influence those beliefs should have in law and government — particularly the Christian ideals many believe the nation was founded on.
Michael O. Emerson joined the podcast to explore not only the role of faith in U.S. politics, but the intersection of American Christianity and racial identity and what it means for public policy. Emerson recently co-authored the related book “The Religion of Whiteness: How Racism Distorts Christian Faith” (Oxford University Press, 2024) with Glenn E. Bracey II.
Discussants
Michael O. Emerson, Ph.D. Harry and Hazel Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
In late July, Venezuela’s electoral authority declared President Nicolás Maduro had won reelection — a result the opposition says was blatantly manipulated. The results were also denounced by the U.S., the E.U., and a number of Latin American countries. On this episode of Baker Briefing, Francisco Monaldi discusses what the post-election chaos means for the country’s troubled oil sector and U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Discussants
Francisco J. Monaldi, Ph.D. Fellow in Latin American Energy Policy; Director, Latin America Energy Program, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
In early July, Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Houston as a Category 1 storm. The city’s flooding infrastructure held up, but thousands were without power for over a week in the brutal summer heat.
On this episode of the Baker Briefing podcast, Jim Blackburn, a faculty scholar at the Baker Institute and co-director of Rice’s SSPEED Center, joined fellow Ed Emmett to discuss the impacts of Beryl. Tune in for their insights into the lessons learned and risks dodged.
Discussants
Jim Blackburn Baker Institute Rice Faculty Scholar and Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law, Rice University
Edward M. Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory in Iran’s presidential election on July 5 was, in many ways, surprising: The parliamentarian is a relative moderate who has pledged to engage with the West and criticized the harassment of women by Iran’s morality police. But will his reformist views translate to meaningful change?
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar and Kristian Coates Ulrichsen joined the podcast to talk about what Pezeshkian’s victory means for Iran’s domestic and foreign policy challenges — its relations with the U.S. and the Gulf states in particular.
For more, read a related analysis by Tabaar in Foreign Affairs.
Discussants
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Ph.D. Fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D. Fellow for the Middle East and Co-Director, Middle East Energy Roundtable, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
A slowing inflation rate, low unemployment, and record stock market highs all point to a robust economy. But are consumers really better off than they were four years ago? On this episode of the Baker Briefing podcast, Center for Public Finance director John Diamond explains why many aren’t feeling the benefits of an economy that’s strong on paper.
This conversation was recorded on June 27, 2024.
Discussants
John Diamond, Ph.D. Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance and Director, Center for Public Finance, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
The U.S. federal government ran a deficit of $1.7 trillion in 2023. This year, net interest payments on the debt alone amount to over $800 billion — more than the country’s entire defense budget.
John Diamond, director of the Baker Institute Center for Public Finance, explains what’s driving the rising debt level, why it’s unsustainable, and why there’s no end in sight without comprehensive fiscal reform.
This conversation was recorded on June 18, 2024.
Discussants
John Diamond, Ph.D. Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance and Director, Center for Public Finance, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
On June 2, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected to Mexico’s highest office. A climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, Sheinbaum will now become the first woman president in the country’s history.
Her victory is part of a resounding win for the ruling Morena party and its allies, which gained a congressional majority in the elections. Now, the Mexican left may be able to reshape the country’s policy landscape through constitutional reform — something Sheinbaum’s mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, tried unsuccessfully to do during his term.
This episode features a conversation between Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico, and Lorena Becerra, a political scientist and pollster who previously worked at the newspaper Reforma. Tune in as they explore voter turnout on June 2 and the implications of Morena’s landslide victory for Mexican policy.
This conversation was recorded on June 4, 2024. For more on issues central to U.S.-Mexico relations, check out the “Judy Ley Allen México Centered” podcast from the Center for the U.S. and Mexico.
Discussants
Lorena Becerra, Ph.D. Political Analyst; CEO, Lorena Becerra Encuestas
Tony Payan, Ph.D. Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute
Experts examine the evolving global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, including the implications of the recent U.S. halt in the review of LNG export applications, how conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have disrupted the market, and the challenges that a “re-Balkanization” of the natural gas industry would pose in the face of global shocks.
For more insights, read a related article from the Baker Institute’s Gabriel Collins and Steven Miles in Foreign Policy.
This conversation was recorded on May 22, 2024.
Discussants
Gabriel Collins Baker Botts Fellow in Energy & Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Baker Institute
Steven R. Miles Fellow in Global Natural Gas, Baker Institute
Edward M. Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
In December 2023, China released a set of proposed regulations on its video gaming industry. The regulations would have targeted many of the most common monetization features in video games — like daily log-in rewards, bonuses for first-time users of in-game currencies, and “loot boxes,” a kind of randomized prize draw that some liken to legalized gambling. But then something happened: The release of the proposals caused Chinese gaming stocks to plunge, and the government quickly walked the regulations back.
On this week’s episode of Baker Briefing, experts unpack what this incident tells us about the regulatory power of the Chinese government, the influence of China’s tech industry, and even government anxieties about online life.
Read a related commentary by Brandon Zheng here.
This conversation was recorded on May 21, 2024.
Discussants
Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D. C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, Baker Institute
Brandon Zheng Research Associate, China Studies Program, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
On May 19, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died suddenly in a helicopter accident. Experts share what policy direction they expect Iran to take in the aftermath of Raisi’s death and what reactions they anticipate from the Gulf.
Discussants
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar Fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen Fellow for the Middle East and Co-Director, Middle East Energy Roundtable, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
This conversation was recorded on May 21, 2024.
Today, every mode of transportation is considering alternatives to traditional petroleum fuels. This episode explores the implications and questions raised by emerging alternative fuels, including their availability, costs, and impacts on supply chains.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants
Edward M. Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
Kenneth B. Medlock III James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on May 7, 2024.
American children today are less active than ever before, raising important concerns about physical health, mental health, well-being, and autonomy. This episode explores the relationship between our urban environments, childhood safety, and well-being.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants
Zoabe Hafeez, M.D. Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UTHealth Houston
Sandra McKay, M.D. Huffington Fellow in Child Health Policy, Baker Institute
Edward M. Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on April 11, 2024.
Legislative attempts to undermine church-state separation in Texas reached a crescendo in 2023, according to a recent report from nonresident scholar David Brockman. This episode features a conversation between Brockman and fellow Ed Emmett on three high-profile bills introduced by Texas lawmakers in 2023 and their connection to a broader movement that seeks to privilege Christianity in public schools.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants
David Brockman, Ph.D. Nonresident Fellow
Ed Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy
This conversation was recorded on April 18, 2024.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire just marked his first 100 days in office. In that time he’s taken steps intended to improve the city's finances, public safety, infrastructure, mobility options, and delivery of services.
This special episode features an armchair conversation between Whitmire and Ed Emmett, a Baker Institute fellow and former Harris County judge, on the past and future of Houston. The event was held on April 3 in front of a live audience at Rice University.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants
John Whitmire 63rd Mayor of the City of Houston
Ed Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on April 3, 2024. Watch the video recording here.
Since Winter Storm Uri knocked out power throughout Texas in February 2021, causing billions of dollars in damage and hundreds of deaths, preparing the Texas grid for extreme weather has been a top priority for the state. But the power grid — serviced by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) — faces other pressures, too. Population growth, economic expansion, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and cryptocurrency mining have all placed increased demands on the state’s energy infrastructure. In this episode, experts in energy and economics explore how Texas can adapt the grid to meet the its evolving energy needs.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants Peter R. Hartley, Ph.D. Baker Institute Rice Faculty Scholar and George A. Peterkin Professor of Economics, Rice University
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D. James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies
Ed Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy
This conversation was recorded on April 1, 2024. Read our latest research on the Texas grid.
On Jan. 13, Taiwanese voters elected William Lai, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and a separatist in the eyes of Beijing, to be their next president. Experts discuss what Lai’s victory means for the island's energy policy, cross-strait relations, and push for sovereignty.
Discussants Gabriel Collins Baker Botts Fellow in Energy & Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Baker Institute
Shih Yu (Elsie) Hung Research Manager, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D. C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; Former Ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey
This conversation was recorded on March 25, 2024. Read our latest research on Taiwan.
On June 2, Mexico will hold its largest elections ever. Voters will decide whether or not the ruling left-wing MORENA party will stay in power. Meanwhile, in the U.S., election season is heating up, and the southern border is top of mind for voters and politicians alike. On this episode, Tony Payan, Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez, and Ed Emmett discuss what's ahead for Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations.
Discussants:
Tony Payan, Ph.D. Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute
Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez Research Scholar, Baker Institute
Edward M. Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on March 19, 2024. The associated report, “Mexico Country Outlook 2024” was published on Jan. 18, 2024.
The U.S. child care industry has faced major challenges in recent years, including high staff turnover and a shortage of providers — particularly affordable ones. These issues only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought the growing child care crisis into focus. As $39 billion in child care assistance funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) began to phase out in September 2023, onlookers warned that up to 3 million children could experience disruptions in child care nationwide — a “child care cliff.” Join and fellows Ed Emmett and Dr. Joyce Beebe as they discuss the state of childcare in the US, and evaluate a variety of policy solutions.
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmet, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
- Dr. Joyce Beebe, Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on January 31st, 2024. The associated report, “Prime for Overhaul: Policy Tools for Solving the Child Care Crisis,” was published on January 17th, 2024.
More than 100 days into the Israel-Gaza conflict, over 1.9 million people have been internally displaced — facing a lack of shelter, food security, and access to critical services. In the last decade, refugee numbers have surged with conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Palestine. Here, we discuss the complexities and distinctions between refugees and internally displaced people.
Discussants:
- Ana Martin Gil, Research Manager, Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Kelsey Norman, Director, Women’s Rights, Human Rights, and Refugees Program, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Elizabeth Ferris, Non-resident Fellow, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy; Research Professor, Institute for the Study of International Migration, Georgetown University
This episode was recorded on February 1, 2024.
On Feb. 16, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. The decision has major implications for reproductive health access in the United States, particularly for the fertility treatment known as IVF. This episode takes a closer look at the science of human embryo research and the potential impacts of the Alabama ruling.
Discussants
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D, Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- McClain Sampson, Ph.D., Fellow in Maternal and Reproductive Health, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
This conversation was recorded on Feb. 26, 2024.
Since October 2023, Houthi militants have deployed missile and drone attacks in Yemen against maritime targets in the Red Sea — creating security concerns along shipping routes in one of the world’s busiest chokepoints. As a result, the world is experiencing another major disruption to global supply chains as vessels have been rerouted around Africa.
Here, we assess the security threat in the Red Sea in light of evolving regional geopolitical shifts arising from the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as the thawing of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Discussants:
- Jim Krane, Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies and co-director of the Middle East Energy Roundtable (MEER) initiative at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
- Ambassador David M. Satterfield, US Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues and Director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Baker Fellow at the institute's Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East.
- Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Baker Fellow at the institute's Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East.
This conversation was recorded on February 13, 2024.
Over half of all Americans live in a state where cannabis is legalized. And yet, the federal government has not reclassified marijuana since 1970. According to the Controlled Substances Act, it is considered a “Schedule 1” substance — the same classification as heroin and crack cocaine with no accepted medical use.
Last August, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which the Drug Enforcement Administration is currently considering. If enacted, the change will have a significant effect on how states enforce drug laws.
Discussants:
- Victoria Jupp, Policy Assistant, Baker Institute for Public Policy;
- Lisa L. Pittman, Partner, Zuber Lawler; Chair-elect, American Bar Association’s Cannabis Law and Policy Committee; and
- Gary Hale, Nonresident Fellow in Drug Policy and Mexico Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy.
This conversation was recorded on January 25, 2024.
As U.S. democratic principles are being challenged, The Carter Center and Baker Institute for Public Policy have proposed guiding principles to ensure elections are conducted in ways that give Americans greater confidence in their outcomes. This episode explores American elections and how a set of commonsense principles can promote access, security, and confidence.
Discussants:
- David Carroll - Director, Democracy Program, The Carter Center
- Mark Jones - Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies at Rice University, Baker Institute Political Science Fellow, Professor in the Department of Political Science at Rice University
- John Williams - Fellow, Presidential Elections Program, Rice University's Baker Institute
- Doug Chapin - Senior Fellow, Program Evaluation & Policy Analysis, Fors Marsh Group
- Hon. Kim Wyman - Senior Fellow, Bipartisan Policy Center; Former Secretary of State, State of Washington
This conversation was recorded on January 26, 2024. The associated report, “Guiding Principles for Election Administration," is now available.
Modern-day stresses affect our mental health—but how are they impacting our brain chemistry? An emerging area of research argues that, if unaddressed, deteriorating brain health could diminish economic productivity, social cohesion, and overall happiness. This episode digs into the idea of “brain capital:” a framework that addresses intersections between brain health and other areas of public policy. Baker Institute Fellow Harris Eyre joins Ed Emmett for an introductory conversation.
Discussants:
- Edward M Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Dr. Harris Eyre MBBS, Ph.D, Fellow in the Center for Health and Biosciences, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
This episode was recorded on January 11, 2024. Read more of Dr. Eyre’s brain capital research.
The City of Houston’s budget is at a tipping point. For five consecutive years, the city outspent its revenues by $100-$200 million each year. With stop-gap options drying up, city officials must plot out a more sustainable plan for the longer term. How did Houston find itself in this budgetary bind, and where must city officials go from here?
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
- Dr. John Diamond, Edward A. & Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on November 29, 2023.
The associated report, “State of the City’s Finances – A Deep Dive into the Fiscal Issues Facing the City”, was published on November 3, 2023 by Dr. John W. Diamond and the Greater Houston Partnership.
Recent attacks by the Yemeni armed militant group, the Houthis, against commercial ships signal new tensions are escalating in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East. A series of events in recent weeks indicate the potential for a broader war in the region — escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas beyond Gaza.
Discussants:
- Kelsey Norman, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East; Director, Women's Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
This episode was recorded on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Health care costs in the U.S. have climbed dramatically in recent decades. Elevated prescription and premium prices have left more Americans at risk of being unable to afford basic healthcare services. Our experts discuss key factors leading to medical unaffordability and the steps policymakers must take to address the issue.
Discussants include:
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Elena M. Marks, J.D., M.P.H., Senior Fellow in Health Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. For more, see archived materials from the "National Health Care Reform: Tackling the Affordability Crisis" conference held at the Baker Institute on Oct. 13, 2023.
This week, global leaders will meet in Dubai for the 28th annual United Nations Conference of the Parties on climate change — known as COP28. In the leadup to the conference, our expert panel breaks down the key political and policy issues at play.
Discussants include:
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (Moderator)
- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Mark Finley, Fellow in Energy and Global Oil, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Jim Krane, Ph.D., Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Rachel A. Meidl, LP.D., CHMM, Fellow in Energy and Environment, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Climate change is causing unprecedented weather conditions around the world. In recent months, a severe drought exacerbated by El Niño has caused water shortages in Central America that are expected to persist well into 2024. As a result, the Panama Canal — one of the world’s most vital waterways for international commerce — has become increasingly impassable.
This episode explores climate change, international shipping, and what happens when a pivotal passage for global supply chains becomes unreliable.
Discussants
- Ed Emmett, Baker Institute’s Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy
- David A. Gantz, Baker Institute’s Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics
This discussion is based on a issue brief published on October 2, 2023 by David A. Gantz titled, "Supply Chain Alternatives for Ocean Shipping if Climate Change-driven Water Shortages Persist at the Panama Canal," available at bakerinstitute.org.
As the war in Ukraine evolves, how have the political and strategic dimensions of the crisis changed? This conversation explores the complexities of ongoing war — including the conflict's roots, the United States’ involvement, and military aid.
Two career diplomats, Ambassador David M. Satterfield, director of the Baker Institute, and Glenn Corn, Russian affairs expert and former CIA senior executive, offer their insights into the personality and motivations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the strategic implications of how Putin’s war in Ukraine ends for the interests of the U.S. and NATO.
This episode was recorded on October 10, 2023.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Former Ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey
- Glenn Corn, Former Senior Executive, CIA
On September 13, 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Negotiator Mahmoud Abbas met at the White Houst to sign a Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements — commonly referred to as the “Oslo Accord.” The Accord stated that Israel accepted the PLO as the representative of the Palestinians, and the PLO renounced terrorism and recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace.
This conversation reflects on the landmark peace agreement 30 years after its historic signing. Ambassador David Satterfield, Gilead Sher, and Dr. Aaron David Miller reflect on the lasting impact of the Oslo Accords, including the successes, setbacks, and enduring challenges, and how it continues to shape the complex dynamics of the Middle East today.
Discussants:
- David Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy | Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Gilead Sher, Isaac and Mildred Brochstein Fellow in Middle East Peace and Security in Honor of Yitzhak Rabin
- Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Six years ago, Hurricane Harvey forever changed the Houston region. In four days, the storm dumped 50 inches of rain — claiming dozens of lives and causing an estimated $125 billion in damages. In months and years following the storm, the vast majority of Harris County residents supported policy action to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.
In this conversation, we explore a critical question: Is Houston ready for the next big storm? This episode was recorded on September 18, 2023.
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Jim Blackburn, Baker Institute Rice Faculty Scholar and Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law, Rice University
Read the full report by Jim Blackburn: "Assessing Houston's Flood Vulnerability 6 Years After Harvey."
In a one-sentence statement, the Chinese government announced in July that its Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, was removed from office. He was replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi.
Here, we discuss what this move reveals about Xi Jinping’s leadership — and what it could mean for US-China relations.
Discussants include:
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D., C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, Jesse Jones Leadership Center Summer Intern Program Coordinator, Baker Institute for Policy Policy
Next week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton faces a historic impeachment trial in the Texas Senate. As the state’s top lawyer, he’s been one of the most powerful and controversial Republicans in the state. Here, we unpack the issues and make our predictions regarding next week’s trial.
This conversation was recorded on July 19, 2023.
Discussants:
- Ed Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., Fellow in Political Science, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and Professor, Rice University
This week, the White House announced a new initiative to tackle the growing use of fentanyl laced with xylazine — known to many as "tranq." This combination of drugs poses an alarming and significant threat to public health. The CDC reported last month that the percentage of fatal opioid overdoses in which xylazine was detected increased by 276% in just three years.
The Baker Institute’s fellow in drug policy, Katharine Neill Harris, discusses the rise in xylazine-laced fentanyl, as well as federal, state, and local policy approaches to curbing the nation’s overdose epidemic.
Discussants:
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Katharine Neill Harris, Ph.D., Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy, Baker Institute
Relations between the U.S. and Mexico have come under strain in recent years. The Honorable Earl Anthony Wayne, who served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2011-2015, joins Center for the U.S. and Mexico Director Tony Payan to explore the complex relationship between the two countries and what their future might hold — particularly for trade, immigration after COVID-19, the fentanyl crisis and other public safety issues.
Discussants:
- Tony Payan, Ph.D., Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies; Director, Center for the United States and Mexico, Baker Institute; and
- Earl Anthony Wayne, Former Career US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Argentina, and Mexico; Distinguished Diplomat in Residence, School of International Service, American University; Public Policy Fellow, Wilson Center.
This conversation was recorded on May 31, 2023.
Young people in the U.S. face an unprecedented mental health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among adolescents that were already at historically high levels before the pandemic. Since 2020, mental health-related emergency room visits have increased 31% among adolescents while suicide rates among teenagers increased 25%.
President Biden acknowledged the severity of this crisis when he introduced a national, five-year initiative to tackle the nation’s mental health crisis. This conversation will explore how the mental health community is overcoming barriers to treatment and the state of federal, state, and local policy interventions.
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
- Rola El-Serag, M.D., L.E. and Virginia Simmons Senior Fellow in Health Policy, Director of the Center for Health & Biosciences, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Lilian Dindo, Ph.D., Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine; Research Health Scientist, Houston Michael Debakey VA Medical Center; Licensed clinical psychologist.
- Jan Lindsay, Ph.D., Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Licensed Psychologist, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine; and Co-Director of the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center
Child labor laws are failing migrant children. As children from Latin America migrate to the United States in record numbers, many are ending up in dangerous jobs that violate child labor legislation. What steps are needed to ensure that vulnerable migrant children are protected from exploitation?
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
- Tony Payan, Ph.D., Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies; Director, Center for the United States and Mexico, Baker Institute
- Luz Garcini, Ph.D., MPH, Rice Faculty Scholar, Baker Institute; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University
Latin America represents the largest energy resource base outside of the Middle East. The region’s vast energy resources — including significant crude oil and natural gas resources — and its unique political landscape make Latin America a significant player that could shift the geopolitical weight from the east to the west.
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Mark P. Jones, PhD, Fellow in Political Science, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and Professor, Department of Political Science, Rice University
- Francisco Monaldi, PhD, Fellow in Latin American Energy Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
Houston is the most ethnically diverse city in the U.S. It has been called a “microcosm of America’s future” based on its changing economic, demographic, and cultural landscapes. It is also home to the Kinder Houston Area Survey — the nation’s longest-running metropolitan study of its kind. The annual survey reveals the attitudes, concerns, and priorities of Houstonians — including how they change over time.
In 2023, the survey revealed that Houston’s optimism remained strong, though concerns about economic equity and housing costs were prevalent. Here, we discuss these and other findings from the 42nd annual Houston Area Survey, which was released this week by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. This episode was recorded on May 17, 2023.
Discussants:
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Ruth López Turley, PhD, Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research; Professor, Department of Sociology, Rice University
- Daniel Potter, Senior Director of Research, Kinder Institute for Urban Research; Rice University
See the 2023 Kinder Houston Area Survey: https://kinder.rice.edu/research/kinder-houston-area-survey-2023-results
The world is closely watching the presidential elections in Turkey — particularly the dynamic between incumbent President Recap Tayyip Erdogan and his main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The election has been called the most consequential in Turkey since 1950.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David M. Satterfield speaks with Aslı Aydıntaşbaş of the Brookings Institute and Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute to unpack the political drama in Turkey’s election and its implications for the world.
This conversation was recorded on May 11, 2023.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; Former US Ambassador to Turkey (2019-2023)
- Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Visiting Fellow, Center on the United States and Europe, Brookings Institute; Global Opinions Columnist, The Washington Post; Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations
- Soner Cagaptay, Beyer Family Fellow and Director of the Turkish Research Program, The Washington Institute
It has been 75 years since the passage of United Nations Resolution 181, which called for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. In this episode, scholar Walter Russell Mead offers observations on the past, present, and future of the US-Israeli relationship. These remarks were delivered as the closing session at the “Israel @ 75” conference hosted by the Baker Institute on April 27, 2023.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Walter Russell Mead, Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship, Hudson Institute; Global View Columnist, The Wall Street Journal; James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities, Bard College in New York; Author of "Arc of a Covenant"
For more, watch additional discussions from the Baker Institute’s “Israel @ 75” conference on April 27, 2023.
The Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998, brought an end to almost 30 years of conflict in Ireland. This peace accord was the result of intense work and negotiations by the British and Irish governments — as well as politicians and other stakeholders from Northern Ireland and the U.S.
This conversation brought together political and civic actors from Northern Ireland to reflect on the Good Friday agreement, discuss the state of Northern Ireland today, and explore what the future holds amid the United Kingdom’s recent departure from the European Union.
This event was co-presented with the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin, Texas.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Bronagh Hinds, Participant in 1996-98 Good Friday Agreement negotiations for the Women’s Coalition
- Emma Johnston, Young Women’s Development Worker for the North West, Youth Action Northern Ireland
- Jarlath Kearney, Commissioner on the Northern Ireland Equality Commission
- Mike Nesbitt, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Ireland
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his war against Ukraine, leaving in its wake 18,000 civilian casualties and eight million people who fled the country.
Ambassador John F. Tefft, former Ambassador to Russia (2014-2017) and Ambassador David M. Satterfield, Director of the Baker Institute, reflect on the events that have transpired in the past year and what the future might hold for the Russia-Ukraine war. This episode was recorded on March 8, 2023.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- The Honorable John F. Tefft, Former United States Ambassador to Russia (2014-217), Ukraine (2009-2013), Georgia (2005-2009), and Lithuania (2000-2003)
As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise across the US, policymakers are looking to expand low carbon energy options — notably hydrogen. Dr. Ken Medlock, director of the Center for Energy Studies, discusses the potential for Texas to become a hydrogen hub.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Kenneth B. Medlock, III, PhD, James A. Baker, III and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics, Baker Institute for Public Policy
For more on this topic, read the Baker Institute’s recent report, Developing a Robust Hydrogen Market in Texas.
Lebanon has faced years of political instability and a worsening economic crisis. Mark Daou, Member of Parliament in Lebanon, recently visited the Baker Institute to discuss the country’s ongoing political challenges. MP Daou discusses how the international community can respond and offers his perspective on a "new start" for Lebanon. This conversation was recorded in Houston, Texas on February 15, 2023.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; and
- MP Mark Daou, Member of Parliament, Lebanon; Founder & CEO, RPR.
As more and more Texans switch from gas- to battery-powered vehicles, state policymakers are grappling with the implications of broader electric vehicle ownership. From infrastructure investments, roadway maintenance, and levying a new tax for EV owners, this discussion breaks down the key issues surrounding EVs and consider legislation policymakers in Texas may consider this session.
This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience on April 4, 2022 at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Discussants include.
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- John Diamond, Ph.D., Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance and Director of the Center for Public Finance, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Adjunct Professor of Economics, Rice University; and CEO, Tax Policy Advisers, LLC
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
OPEC+, which is led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, announced this week that it is cutting oil output by 1.2 million gallons per day starting in May. This amounts to removing roughly 1% of oil from the global market. Our experts discuss the far-reaching consequences of this move for U.S. gas prices, American energy security, and U.S.-Saudi relations.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Mark Finley, Fellow in Energy and Global Oil, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Jim Krane, Ph.D., Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute for Public Policy
March 10 marked the deadline for filing bills in the 2023 Texas legislative session. Now, Texas state lawmakers are gearing up to discuss property taxes, school safety and other issues that have emerged as high-priorities for the House and Senate.
ere, we discuss what bills are expected to cause friction and make expert predictions on outcomes from the current session. This episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience on March 21, 2023 at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., Fellow in Political Science, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and Professor, Rice University
On March 20, 2003, U.S. air and ground forces invaded Iraq under the direction of former President George W. Bush. Ambassador Satterfield discusses lessons learned from the U.S. diplomatic and military strategy following the tragic events of 9/11 that led to the invasion of Iraq 2003.
Discussants include:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute for Public Policy
In March 2023, four U.S. citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint in northern Mexico; two were found dead and two others were rescued following a manhunt. The incident quickly became an international crisis and renewed U.S. focus on violence south of the border. This conversation explores the binational relationship between the U.S. and Mexico and growing tensions regarding Mexico’s approach to clamping down on violence and crime.
Discussants:
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Tony Payan, PhD, Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at the Baker Institute for Public Policy
In the United States, drug overdose deaths are on the rise. In 2022, CDC researchers reported that 110,236 people died from an overdose in a single 12-month period, setting a new record. Synthetic opioid overdose deaths, primarily due to fentanyl, increased nearly 7.5-fold from 2015 to 2021. In Texas, the number of fentanyl-related deaths rose dramatically — from 883 deaths in 2020 to 1,672 deaths in 2021. While Republican lawmakers in Texas have previously opposed harm reduction policies, many have signaled a desire to take policy action to combat the crisis in the 2023 legislative session.
In this episode, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, fellow Katharine Neill Harris, and fellow and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett discuss policy approaches to the rise in fentanyl-related deaths. They explore strategies that have been successfully adopted in other states and what policies could receive support from Texas legislators.
Discussants:
- The Honorable Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute; Former Harris County Judge
- The Honorable Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff, Harris County
- Katharine Neill Harris, Ph.D., Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy, Baker Institute
- The Honorable Kim Ogg, District Attorney, Harris County
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute and Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
The pandemic spurred a rollercoaster of quick, subsequent economic events in three years that might normally occur across three decades: record unemployment, a brief recession, federal assistance, highest inflation since the 1980s, interest rate increases, and in 2023, concerns regarding a looming recession. Some U.S. consumers have dealt with the aftermath of this whiplash by shifting their spending and saving behaviors. Our experts discuss U.S. consumer trends since the pandemic—what’s stayed the same, new phenomena, and notable policy developments.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Joyce Beebe, Ph.D., Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- John Diamond, Ph.D., Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance and Director of the Center for Public Finance, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Adjunct Professor of Economics, Rice University; and CEO, Tax Policy Advisers, LLC
Related research:
- Issue Brief: Reflecting on the Budget Control Act of 2011 and Its Relevance Now by John W. Diamond and Autumn Engebretson
- Issue Brief: Recent U.S. Consumer Trends: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed — Should We Be Blue? by Joyce Beebe
The Texas power grid is infamously disconnected from the rest of the U.S.. Its status as an “energy island” can bring both advantages and disadvantages. Two years ago, Winter Storm Uri knocked out power across Texas for days and exposed major reliability concerns. Here, we discuss changes made in the two years since Winter Storm Uri. Is the Texas grid “fixed?”
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
- Peter R. Hartley, Ph.D., George A. Peterkin Professor of Economics, Rice University; Rice Faculty Scholar of Energy Economics, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Julie A. Cohn, Ph.D.,Research Historian, Center for Public History at the University of Houston; Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute for Public Policy
Maternal health is widely seen as a key indicator of a society’s overall well-being. But two new reports out of Texas paint a concerning picture. America has the worst maternal death rate of any wealthy nation, and Texas ranks eighth worst state in the nation for maternal mortality. Here, we discuss the scope of the maternal mortality crisis in Texas, how it is unfolding in communities unevenly across the state, and potential policy responses amid broader public concern on maternal health issues.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Rola El-Serag, M.D., L.E. and Virginia Simmons Senior Fellow in Health Policy, Director of the Center for Health & Biosciences, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Elena M. Marks, J.D., M.P.H., Senior Fellow in Health Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- McClain Sampson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston; Fellow in Maternal and Reproductive Health, Baker Institute for Public Policy
On Monday, February 6, 2023 a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. It is the world’s deadliest earthquake in more than a decade. The latest reports from the two countries put the death toll at 22,375, with thousands more injured. Rescue workers are now racing against time to pull survivors from the rubble of collapsed buildings in freezing winter conditions‚ but hopes are fading.
As the world watches this tragedy unfold, the death count is increasing daily. David Satterfield, now Director of the Baker Institute, served as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey from 2019 to 2022 and worked extensively in Northern Syria. Here, in conversation with Judge Ed Emmett, he shares his perspective on the events unfolding in Turkey and Syria.
Discussants
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy
The short days and winter storms of January have kept drivers off the roads—lowering the demand for gas and increasing the available supply. Yet, oil prices are still rising as the Russia-Ukraine war continues to disrupt global energy markets. We discuss the latest market trends and developments in global energy markets— including the European Union embargo on Russian oil exports and the price caps that G-7 nations are preparing to set on Russian diesel, kerosene and oil.
TikTok—the China-owned app that is currently the most popular social platform in America —is at the center of a swirling geopolitical and economic debate. The app has faced criticism from U.S. government officials who say the app gives China access to American data, making it a security risk. Here, we discuss the risks, the efficacy of bans, and consider the possibility of a TikTok-less America.
Show Notes
TikTok—the China-owned app that is currently the most popular social platform in America —is at the center of a swirling geopolitical and economic debate. The app has faced criticism from U.S. government officials who say the app gives China access to American data, making it a security risk. Here, we discuss the risks, the efficacy of bans, and consider the possibility of a TikTok-less America.
Discussants:
- The Honorable David M. Satterfield, Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
- Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Aynne Kokas, Ph.D., Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute for Public Policy and Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Virginia
- Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D., C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, Jesse Jones Leadership Center Summer Intern Program Coordinator, Baker Institute for Policy Policy
For more on this topic, see the book by Dr. Aynne Kokas, “Trafficking Data: How China Is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty.”
- On January 7, a six-year-old in Newport News, Virginia shot and wounded his teacher. As of 2020, firearm injury is the leading cause of death among children in America. We discuss the public health implications of rising gun violence, the medical community’s response, and which policy interventions can promote community safety.
As the tensions at the U.S.-Mexico the border continue, President Biden visited El Paso, Texas on January 8, 2023 to discuss his plan for clamping down on illegal immigration. We discuss the state of U.S. border policy, President Biden’s latest plans, and how the U.S. can mitigate the immigration crisis.