Experts in the News

International trade fellow David A. Gantz discussed Evergrande, the “too big to fail” second-largest construction company in China, and other economic news.

Matthew McConaughey has vaguely entertained the idea of a gubernatorial run, so far without any decisive action. Political science fellow Mark Jones thought the actor could get the required media coverage but saw risk in his running afoul of Texas party politics.

U.S. natural gas supplies remain low, and Asia and Europe both face an energy crisis as winter approaches. Energy fellow Anna Mikulska predicted U.S. exporters will ship any spare gas to Asia, where prices are higher.

This week, the Texas Senate Redistricting Committee approved new U.S. House district maps for the state. Political science fellow Mark Jones discussed what happens next and the state of play in redistricting.

Amid shifting relations with the United States, the UAE is reestablishing foreign alliances, "trying to diversify," said Middle East fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen. "There's a perception now in Abu Dhabi that the UAE can't be fighting fires everywhere."