Baker Institute

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Channel • 5 Shows

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Politics

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Politics

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Politics

Politics

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Politics

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4D AGO

29: Healthcare on the Frontlines of War

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. 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.

4d ago

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46 min
5D AGO

28: Humanitarian Rules of War and What Happens When They Break Down

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.

5d ago

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30 min
APR 15

27: Tax Day Edition — Debt, Defense, and Economic Uncertainty

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. 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.

Apr 15

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32 min
MAR 25

23: Population Decline and the New Economics of Cities

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.

Mar 25

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38 min
APR 13

95: The Binational Bank Tackling the Border’s Water Crisis

The U.S.-Mexico border has become one of the most economically dynamic corridors in the world. But rapid population growth and urbanization have brought significant social and environmental consequences for the region that are only exacerbated by extreme drought. John Beckham, managing director of the North American Development Bank, joined center experts Tony Payan and Ivonne Cruz to discuss the bank’s work financing sustainable infrastructure projects along the border, the politics of water scarcity, and what binational cooperation looks like in an era of climate change and industrial expansion. This conversation was recorded on March 18, 2026. Featured: John Beckham, https://nadbank.org/about-us/nadbank-leadership/john-beckham Ivonne Cruz, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/ivonne-cruz This conversation was recorded on March 18, 2026. More about our host, Tony Payan, Ph.D.: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan You can follow @BakerInstitute and @BakerInstMexico on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Apr 13

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37 min
APR 7

26: Live from CERAWeek: Latin America’s Growing Role in Global Oil Markets

Recorded live at CERAWeek in Houston, this episode of The Energy Forum features Kenneth B. Medlock III in conversation with Francisco J. Monaldi on the forces reshaping oil markets across Latin America. They examine Venezuela’s changing outlook after Maduro’s capture, the investment prospects ahead, and how countries like Brazil, Guyana, Argentina, and Bolivia are redefining the region’s role in global energy. This episode was recorded on March 25, 2026 on-site at CERAWeek.

Apr 7

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21 min
MAR 6

21: War With Iran: How Far Could It Go?

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. 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.

Mar 6

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32 min
MAR 27

25: Inside the Iran War’s Impact on Global Energy Markets

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.

Mar 27

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45 min
APR 1

26: Federal Judge Blocks RFK Jr. Vaccine Overhaul and What It Means for Families

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.

Apr 1

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31 min
APR 3

25: Strait of Hormuz Disruption: What It Means for Oil Prices and Global Supply

Tensions in the Middle East are reshaping global energy markets, and the impacts are already being felt. In this episode of The Energy Forum, Abhi Rajendran, Skip York, and Kristian Coates Ulrichsen break down the latest developments around the Strait of Hormuz and what they mean for oil supply, global trade, and energy security. As supply chains tighten and demand rises heading into summer, this episode explains why global energy markets may face continued pressure and what to watch for next. This episode was recorded on April 1, 2026.

Apr 3

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24 min

High-quality discussions with policy experts on the most critical issues facing the U.S., Texas, and the world. Brought to you by Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston, Texas.

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Baker Institute

Top Shows

29: Healthcare on the Frontlines of War

28: Humanitarian Rules of War and What Happens When They Break Down

27: Tax Day Edition — Debt, Defense, and Economic Uncertainty

23: Population Decline and the New Economics of Cities

95: The Binational Bank Tackling the Border’s Water Crisis

26: Live from CERAWeek: Latin America’s Growing Role in Global Oil Markets

21: War With Iran: How Far Could It Go?

25: Inside the Iran War’s Impact on Global Energy Markets

26: Federal Judge Blocks RFK Jr. Vaccine Overhaul and What It Means for Families

25: Strait of Hormuz Disruption: What It Means for Oil Prices and Global Supply

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