From 'Baker Briefing:' Tax Day Edition — Debt, Defense, and Economic Uncertainty

It’s Tax Day, and this episode steps back from the headlines to look at the forces shaping the U.S. fiscal and economic outlook. From the latest federal budget proposals and rising defense costs to updated projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Treasury Department on deficits and debt, the fiscal picture is facing growing pressure. Ambassador David M. Satterfield and John W. Diamond examine how the costs of ongoing and potential conflicts factor into an already strained budget environment, alongside broader economic crosscurrents, including private equity stress, immigration trends, tariffs, fiscal stimulus, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. With geopolitical tensions adding uncertainty, this episode asks: How much stability remains in the system? This conversation was recorded on April 15, 2026. Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.