Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy
Institutes
About Us
The Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy is part of The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. The institute conducts and supports research and educational programs focused on trade, economics and public policy and provides a forum for informed discussion of issues affecting Texas, the United States and the global economy.
Mosbacher News
Focus Areas
Trade & Global Value Chains
The Mosbacher Institute explores policies that strengthen global market integration by reducing trade barriers and fostering economic cooperation. Through the Global Value Chains Program, the Institute supports interdisciplinary research and education on emerging challenges in global supply chains, helping policymakers understand how trade can drive economic growth, improve living standards, and strengthen economic ties between the United States and emerging economies.
Borders & Migration
The Mosbacher Institute’s Borders & Migration Program examines the local and global impacts of international migration and cultural and economic exchange. Through interdisciplinary research, policy outreach, and educational opportunities, the Institute promotes evidence-based decision-making and constructive public dialogue to help policymakers address evolving border and migration challenges.
Energy
The Mosbacher Institute takes an evidence-based, economic approach to evaluating the world’s energy options and their true costs, encouraging the coordination of global policy responses to energy security and promoting smarter energy solutions. The Institute explores policies that balance affordable, clean, and reliable energy, strengthen energy security, and leverage market forces to support sustainable economic growth.
Governance & Public Services
The Mosbacher Institute identifies effective governance practices and policies within the U.S. economy and recommends solutions to address public service failures and inefficiencies. Through research and policy analysis in areas such as education, health, the environment, and emergency management, the Institute identifies solutions to public-sector challenges and promotes policies that strengthen economic competitiveness and serve the public interest.
Research
Mosbacher Whitepapers
December 2025: Decentralization and the Future of Syria: Economic Recovery, Governance, and Peacebuilding Across Regions
By Amy Austin Holmes, Hadeel Oueis, and Samantha ScaringeWhat progress has been made in reunifying Syria one year after the fall of the Assad regime? How do the competing governance models of the interim government in Damascus and the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria hold up to best practices on economic recovery, governance, and peacebuilding? This White Paper examines these questions, highlighting the critical role of inclusive, decentralized governance for reunification and recovery. For example, the World Bank estimates that if women’s employment matched that of men, Syria’s long-run GDP per capita could increase by up to 74%. Moreover, post-conflict states with at least 30% women in parliament reduce the risk of conflict resurgence. In Syria’s recent parliamentary elections, key regions of the country were excluded and only 4% of those selected were women—less than under the Assad regime. By contrast, the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria has made significant strides in including women in local governance structures. The paper highlights the Aleppo Agreement as a potential model for unifying other contested regions of Syria. It argues that Syria’s most viable path to unity and prosperity lies in adopting inclusive governance frameworks like the Aleppo Agreement, which balances localized autonomy with cooperative security arrangements, thereby reducing fragmentation and fostering sustainable peace.
The Takeaway
The Takeaway offers its readers concrete ideas to take away and integrate into their thinking about a policy problem or current event. It features concise, well-reasoned analysis, thoughtful policy discussion, and practical recommendations on the key issues facing decision-makers.
Read Our Takeaways
September 2026: “Assessing the Landscape of Dual Credit Enrollment: Before and After House Bill 8 and Building a Talent Strong Texas”
By Emma Grace ThomasA new Mosbacher Institute Takeaway by recent Bush School graduate Emma Grace Thomas examines the rapid expansion of dual-credit enrollment in Texas following the implementation of House Bill 8 and the Building a Talent Strong Texas plan. The study finds that dual-credit enrollment grew 63% from 2016 to 2024, with particularly strong growth at public community and technical colleges. The research explores what this growth means for Texas students and the state’s workforce and highlights the importance of sustained funding, stronger coordination between high schools and colleges, and intentional pathways connecting dual-credit courses to credentials and career opportunities.
Read the Full TakeawayCharles Blaschke Education Technology Archive
The Charles Blaschke Education Technology Archive holds the collected business and personal research papers of Mr. Charles Blaschke (1941-2018). Mr. Blaschke was the President and Founder of Education Turnkey Systems, Inc. (TURNKEY). Mr. Blaschke gave his papers to the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy at the Bush School of Government and Public Service to provide researchers with rare, historical documentation on the evolution of federal education technology policy and financial support.
Learn More About the Education Technology ArchiveOur History
In September 2009, The Texas A&M University System formally established the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy at the Bush School of Government and Public Service and appointed James M. Griffin as the first director. The intended purpose of the Mosbacher Institute is to foster cutting edge research on international trade issues and domestic economic policy issues while at the same time increasing educational emphasis in these areas. A longtime friend and colleague of George Bush, the 41st President of the United States, Robert Mosbacher served at Secretary of Commerce from 1989 to 1992 and had a long and distinguished career in public service. During his time as secretary, Mr. Mosbacher was committed to improving the domestic economy and international trade relationships. Mosbacher, who died in January 2010, was a key architect of the North American Free Tree Agreement (NAFTA).
James Griffin BioMosbacher Institute Team
