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2D AGO

19: What the US Strikes on Iran Mean for Global Energy Markets

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. 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.

2d ago

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29 min
1D AGO

20: Mexico’s Cartels, Violence, and the Rule of Law After the Fall of El Mencho

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 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.

1d ago

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30 min
6D AGO

94: Why Is Mexico’s Economy Struggling — and Can It Turn Around?

Mexico is the United States’ largest trading partner and home to a formidable industrial base. So why has its economy continued to underperform, with GDP growth of just 0.7 percent last year? Roberto Salinas-León, president of the Mexico Business Forum and director of the Atlas Network Initiatives for Latin America, joined “México Centered” host Tony Payan to discuss the structural challenges inhibiting Mexico’s economic growth and possible ways forward, from investor uncertainty to low productivity tied to weak public investment and a large informal sector. This conversation was recorded on February 17, 2026. Featured: Roberto Salinas-León, Ph.D.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-salinasleon/ 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.

6d ago

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31 min
2D AGO

From 'Baker Briefing': What the U.S. Strikes on Iran Mean for Global Energy Markets

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 Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is joined by Ken Medlock, 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, the difference between kinetic threats and commercial risk, 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. Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform. Featured: Ken Medlock, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kenneth-b-medlock-iii You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

2d ago

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30 min
1D AGO

From 'Baker Briefing': Mexico’s Cartels, Violence, and the Rule of Law After the Fall of El Mencho

The February 22, 2026 death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, head of Mexico’s powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has reignited debate about security, governance, and the strength of Mexico’s organized crime institutions. In the days following the operation, cartel-linked violence spread across multiple states — underscoring both the reach of organized crime and the risks of confronting it. Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute’s Claudio X. González Center for the United States and Mexico, joins Ambassador David 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 the extent of U.S. involvement and coordination in the operation, the political and security pressures facing President Claudia Sheinbaum as she intensifies the government’s campaign against cartels, and what this moment may signal for the future of U.S.–Mexico security cooperation. At the center of the conversation is a critical question: Will this operation strengthen the rule of law in Mexico — or simply trigger another cycle of violence? This conversation was recorded on February 26, 2026 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform. Mentioned in this episode: Tony Payan, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan

1d ago

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31 min
FEB 24

18: Supreme Court Tariff Decision: What Comes Next for Trade, Markets, and Manufacturing

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. 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.

Feb 24

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24 min
FEB 21

17: US Trade Policy Under Trump and America’s Global Credibility

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 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.

Feb 21

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34 min
FEB 24

23: Saudi Arabia Scales Back Vision 2030 Megaprojects, Shifts Focus to AI and Energy

Nearly a decade into Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s diversification drive is entering a more constrained phase: some initiatives are moving ahead, while others are being resized, delayed, or quietly shelved. In this episode of ”The Energy Forum,“ host Jim Krane (Diana Tamari Sabbagh Fellow in Middle East Energy Studies) speaks with Karen Elliott House (journalist, author, and former managing editor at The Wall Street Journal) about what is changing inside the Kingdom, from the Public Investment Fund’s shifting priorities to the rise in women’s workforce participation, the AI push, regional security risks, and evolving relations with Iran. What does this shift mean for global energy markets and geopolitics? Subscribe and listen to “The Energy Forum” on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. This episode was recorded on Feb. 18, 2026.

Feb 24

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39 min
FEB 19

16: Why Critical Minerals Matter for U.S. National Security

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. 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.

Feb 19

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25 min
FEB 24

From 'Baker Briefing': Supreme Court Tariff Decision: What Comes Next for Trade, Markets, and Manufacturing

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. This conversation was recorded on Feb. 23, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Feb 24

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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

19: What the US Strikes on Iran Mean for Global Energy Markets

20: Mexico’s Cartels, Violence, and the Rule of Law After the Fall of El Mencho

94: Why Is Mexico’s Economy Struggling — and Can It Turn Around?

From 'Baker Briefing': What the U.S. Strikes on Iran Mean for Global Energy Markets

From 'Baker Briefing': Mexico’s Cartels, Violence, and the Rule of Law After the Fall of El Mencho

18: Supreme Court Tariff Decision: What Comes Next for Trade, Markets, and Manufacturing

17: US Trade Policy Under Trump and America’s Global Credibility

23: Saudi Arabia Scales Back Vision 2030 Megaprojects, Shifts Focus to AI and Energy

16: Why Critical Minerals Matter for U.S. National Security

From 'Baker Briefing': Supreme Court Tariff Decision: What Comes Next for Trade, Markets, and Manufacturing

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