Economist Podcasts Economies of sail: migrant-smuggling entrepreneurs
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Apr 8, 2025 
Joining the discussion are Joel Budd, Britain’s social affairs editor at The Economist, who dives into the business strategies of migrant smugglers, and Ainsley Johnston, a data journalist, focusing on evolving American perceptions of traditional allies. They reveal the surprising entrepreneurial tactics behind migrant smuggling across the English Channel, likening it to small businesses. The conversation shifts to how climate change is fueling wildfires in East Asia and altering migration patterns, while also unraveling the complexities of shifting international alliances.
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Combating Smuggling
- Targeting high-level smugglers is ineffective due to the diffuse nature of the network.
- Disrupting one individual allows others to fill the void, resembling the drug trade.
South Korea Wildfire
- South Korea experienced its largest wildfire in modern history, fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions.
- The fire, likely human-caused, destroyed buildings, killed people, and caused mass evacuations.
Climate Change Link
- Climate change increases fire risk with longer summers and drier conditions, particularly in East Asia.
- While the exact cause is complex, the trend aligns with climate change impacts.