Research Library

Fellow Gabriel Collins and Andrew S. Erickson explore the possibility of China taking control of Taiwan’s world-leading chip industry without ever invading — and lay out a strategy to prevent such a conquest by Beijing.

The surge in brain disorders is having a notable effect on the economy. Brain Capital, which takes into account cognitive and non-cognitive brain abilities as well as brain health, is becoming increasingly essential to the world's economies. This is particularly evident in light of the progression of AI technology, which is substituting positions that require minimal skills.

In months and years following Hurricane Harvey, the vast majority of Harris County residents supported policy action to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters. On this episode of Baker Briefing, fellow Edward Emmett and Rice faculty scholar Jim Blackburn explore a critical question: Is Houston ready for the next big storm?

This report explains Europe's failure to secure long-term liquefied natural gas supplies, the likely implications, and provides ideas for better ensuring energy security moving forward.

In July, the Chinese government announced that its foreign minister, Qin Gang, had been removed from office and replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi. Fellows Joe Barnes and Steven W. Lewis discuss what the move reveals — and what it could mean for U.S.-China relations — on this episode of Baker Briefing.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing a historic impeachment trial in the state Senate. Fellows Mark Jones and Ed Emmett unpack the issues and make predictions regarding the trial in this episode of Baker Briefing.

As drought persists along the lower Colorado River, can the U.S. and Mexico cooperate to develop new water sources? Stephen Mumme and Aidan Lyde explore options ranging from wastewater reclamation to seawater desalination.

This week, the White House announced a new initiative to tackle the growing use of fentanyl laced with xylazine — known to many as "tranq." This combination of drugs poses an alarming and significant threat to public health.

Under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico is squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to encourage significant new foreign investment. His successor will need to reverse course, writes David A. Gantz, the Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics.

This report evaluates the pandemic’s effect on the religious lives, mental health and views of government of Muslims across five predominantly Muslim countries.