Economist Podcasts Bust a vessel: NATO v dark fleets
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Oct 28, 2025 
Alice Su, a Senior international correspondent for The Economist, dives into NATO's challenges with shadow fleets in the Baltic, revealing tactics used to evade detection. Don Wineland, the China business and finance editor, discusses the rise of 200 million gig workers reshaping China's economy, highlighting their precarious conditions yet promising flexibility. Meanwhile, John Fasman, a culture correspondent, explores the intricacies of antisemitism through Mark Mazower's book, tracing its evolution and the modern political landscape it inhabits.
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Flag Registries Create Legal Loopholes
- Flag-state jurisdiction and fake or rapidly changing registrations create legal blind spots for policing ships in international waters.
- Some registries can be created online for tiny or uninhabited territories, further undermining enforcement.
Use Diplomacy And Legal Pressure First
- Governments should pressure lax flag states and use inspection calls to slow suspicious ships.
- NATO and the EU are also expanding powers to board and deter vessels that threaten infrastructure.
Reserve Military Action As A Backstop
- Prepare military deterrence as a last resort and coordinate with larger allies for backing.
- Estonia has authorized attacking civilian vessels if they damage critical infrastructure, though it hasn't been used yet.
