Refugee Numbers Dropped in 2025 — But Aid Cuts and Other Trends Suggest Little to Celebrate
In a new piece for The Conversation, Kelsey Norman and Nicholas R. Micinski examine how declining refugee numbers in 2025…
June 18, 2026 3349 Results
How Texas Hemp Regulations Affect Youth Safety
In this episode, Heidi Russell speaks with Katharine Harris about the rise of the hemp-derived THC market in Texas.
June 17, 2026 
What FEMA’s New Flood Maps Mean for Houston Schools
In this episode, Edward M. Emmett, former Harris County judge, and policy analyst Bill King join Heidi Russell to discuss…
June 17, 2026 
Politics Behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ambassador David M. Satterfield is joined by Baker Institute Fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen to examine how the World Cup…
June 17, 2026 
How Declining Oil Production Could Weaken Russia’s Geopolitical Power
Despite expanded drilling efforts, Russia’s oil production continues to decline, deepening the economic strain of the war…
June 16, 2026 
Rice’s Baker Institute launches Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center with US Department of Energy
New initiative focusing on energy security, regional stability, and technological cooperation among the United States…
June 15, 2026 
The Lifecycle of Hydrocarbon Molecules: Limitations of the Plastic-Oil Debate June 15, 2026
Executive Summary
Efforts to reduce plastic production through bans, production caps, or limitations to advanced recycling…
Sportswashing: Defining, Reframing, and Measuring Its Soft Power Impact
As global attention turns toward the next World Cup, questions about the relationship between sports, politics, and national…
June 11, 2026 
How WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP Support Children’s Health
In this episode, Heidi Russell speaks with Charles W. Mathias about the connection between pediatric nutrition and…
June 11, 2026 
One Year In, How Trump and RFK Jr. Reshaped Federal Health Policy
In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Heidi Russell discusses a new Baker Institute report on major healthcare policy changes…
June 10, 2026