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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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 FinleyKenneth B. Medlock IIIListen 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.
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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 LewisListen 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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.
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.
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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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
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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.
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.
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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 organizationThis conversation was recorded on Dec. 4, 2025, in front of a live audience.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
- Visa fler
