Baker Briefing

From 'Texas Briefing:' Student Voices on Faith, Politics, and University Life in Texas

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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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.
 
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24: Inside the Latest Phase of the Iran War

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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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.
 
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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.

22: Chief Justice John Roberts on 20 Years Leading the Supreme Court

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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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.
 
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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
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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
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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.