Baker Briefing

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.
 
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.

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. 
 
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.

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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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 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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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 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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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.