PUBLICATIONS

February 2012

Al-Assad missed chance to reform Syria

In this CNN.com commentary, Baker Institute founding director Edward P. Djerjian's CNN.com commentary discusses the turmoil in Syria and the broader ramifications for the region.

Edward P. Djerejian

Feb 06

Our "ample safety net" leaves a lot to be desired

Recipients of government programs navigate complex systems for meager benefits, says sociologist and Rice scholar Rachel Tolbert Kimbro. Published in the Feb. 4, 2012, edition of the Houston Chronicle.

Rachel Kimbro

Feb 04

[PDF : 149.7 kB ]

January 2012

Revisiting Alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz

In recent weeks, the government of Iran has threatened to shut down the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with the United States and its allies. Rice scholar Dagobert Brito discusses alternatives were the strait to be blocked.

Dagobert Brito

Jan 26

[PDF : 275.2 kB ]

Baker Institute Update: Baker Institute named among top 25 U.S. think tanks

The 2011 Global Go To Think Tank Rankings, released in January 2012, are based on an institute's ability to retain top scholars, quality of research, access to policymakers and the ability to influence policy decisions.

Jan 25

New Alignments? The Geopolitics of Gas and Oil Cartels and the Changing Middle East

The Energy Forum analyzes the likelihood of new coalitions emerging in energy markets in light of the Arab Awakening and the rise of U.S. shale gas.

Amy Myers Jaffe, Ted Temzelides, Songying Fang

Jan 24

[PDF : 466.2 kB ]

Baker Institute Policy Report 50 -- Stem Cell Research in the Courts: Sherley v. Sebelius

The Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Program examines the controversies surrounding the development of a coherent U.S. policy for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research.

Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Maude L. Rowland, Jingyuan Luo, Monica Matsumoto

Jan 24

[PDF : 544.4 kB ]

The role of religion in American politics

Religion and the culture wars seem to be playing a large part in 2012 election campaigns, but they have historically been a key factor, writes senior fellow William Martin. Published in the Jan. 22, 2012, edition of the Houston Chronicle.

William Martin

Jan 22

[PDF : 325.2 kB ]

Baker Institute Update: New international economics fellow named

International economist Russell A. Green is the Baker Institute's new Will Clayton Fellow. The Energy Forum and PFC Energy host a conference on the North American energy boom.

Jan 11

December 2011

The Aging of Biomedical Research in the United States

A rise in the average age of biomedical researchers might inhibit research potential and novel projects that could impact biomedicine and the next generation of scientists in the United States. Published in Vol. 6(12) of PLoS ONE.

Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Kara Calhoun, Vivian Ho, Nathan Lo

Dec 26

[PDF : 363.7 kB ]

Houston, we have a solution

Now is the time to transform Texas' system of delivering access to health care, says fellow Elena Marks in this op-ed. Published in the Dec. 25, 2011, edition of the Houston Chronicle.

Elena M. Marks

Dec 25

[PDF : 297.5 kB ]

Baker Institute Update: Best wishes for 2012

Nurturing students — the next generation of policymakers — was a key focus of the Baker Institute in 2011.

Dec 19

Boko Haram: A Prognosis

The Boko Haram, a Salafi-jihadi Muslim group from northeastern Nigeria, poses a threat to U.S. interests in Africa and may possibly target the United States specifically.

David Cook

Dec 16

[PDF : 460.8 kB ]

Mexico's Government Begins to Retake Northeastern Mexico

Government attacks on the infrastructure of the Gulf cartel and the Zetas in recent years are concrete examples of Mexico's efforts to retake its northeastern states from the hands of drug traffickers.

Gary J. Hale

Dec 09

[PDF : 294.9 kB ]

Baker Institute Update: Science for the rest of us

Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, discusses science and society; the Energy Forum holds a conference on China and energy.

Dec 07

Health Economics Newsletter - December 2011

Does the Affordable Care Act need mending? Fellow Vivian Ho says yes, although the new law is a step in the right direction.

Vivian Ho

Dec 06

[PDF : 751.0 kB ]

November 2011

U.S.-China Relations and Energy Cooperation

The U.S.-China relationship is fraught with cooperation and mutual distrust, both of which will inevitably affect each country's strategic energy policy. Part of the Energy Forum study "The Rise of China and Its Energy Implications."

Joe Barnes, James D. Coan, Jareer Elass

Nov 30

[PDF : 736.3 kB ]

The Rise of China and Its Energy Implications

Executive summary of the Energy Forum study "The Rise of China and Its Energy Implications."

Amy Myers Jaffe

Nov 30

[PDF : 696.1 kB ]

China's Oil Sector: Trends and Uncertainties

Much of the outside world's view of Chinese energy is distorted by misconceptions of traditional Chinese oil and gas use. Part of the Energy Forum study "The Rise of China and Its Energy Implications."

Alan Troner

Nov 30

[PDF : 1.3 MB ]

Chinese Growth Prospects in the Short to Medium Term

The Chinese economy has grown at incredibly fast rates over the past three decades, and this paper investigates how this growth might cause the country to prosper or collapse. Part of the Energy Forum study "The Rise of China and Its Energy Implications."

Mahmoud A. El-Gamal

Nov 30

[PDF : 994.4 kB ]

Carbon Management in China: The Effects of Decentralization and Privatization

A discussion of emerging Chinese carbon management policies and whether a trend toward a centralized strategy can be applied to energy and environmental policy in China. Part of the Energy Forum study "The Rise of China and Its Energy Implications."

Steven W. Lewis

Nov 30

[PDF : 1.6 MB ]