The United States is set to control 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, according to President Donald J Trump, a development that has drawn criticism from both government allies and opposition. Francisco Monaldi, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, was quoted regarding the deal, which experts suggest will not lead to lower gas prices for consumers.
The agreement comes amidst broader energy concerns, including refinery bottlenecks keeping gas prices high six months into a war with Iran, as noted by Baker Institute fellows Skip York and Jim Krane. While a Hormuz deal has paused the Iran conflict, fears of a "forever war" persist, according to Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, also a Baker Institute fellow. Research from the institute also highlights how the Iran War is reshaping global energy, with China, electric vehicles, and renewables emerging as key beneficiaries.
Domestically, the political landscape shows shifts, with Democrats reportedly leading Republicans in five states President Trump won by double digits. Rice political science professor Mark Jones commented on these trends, while the Texas Senate race is projected to become one of the nation's most expensive, with Democrats eyeing a potential upset after flipping a long-held Republican stronghold.
Meanwhile, Rice University itself is navigating significant growth, having expanded to nearly 9,500 students. This expansion raises questions about the preservation of its close-knit culture. President Reginal DesRoches, along with faculty and students like Joanna Zhao and Raymundo Martinez, were quoted discussing the challenges and opportunities presented by this increased enrollment.
Further research from Rice includes the development of an automated X-ray workflow for diamond semiconductors and findings that tiny wrinkles in graphene can transform it into a battery. The university's Kinder Institute for Urban Research also contributed to discussions on poverty in Harris County.