Economist Podcasts Stars and strikes: was America’s ship-bomb illegal?
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Dec 3, 2025 
Join Shashank Joshi, Defence editor, as he unpacks the legality of controversial US missile strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and their implications for military policy. Emily Steinmark, Science correspondent, delves into the world of gene-editing startups, exploring the rise of embryo editing and its associated risks. Moika Iida, East Asia reporter, highlights the fight for women's inclusion in sumo, discussing cultural barriers and the hope for future change in Japan's gender dynamics.
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Legal Risk Of Striking Survivors At Sea
- The September 2nd strike involved initial hits followed by subsequent strikes that killed survivors, raising legal alarms.
- Shashank Joshi warns that killing shipwrecked or surrendering people at sea can be a war crime under hors de combat rules.
Responsibility And Political Fallout
- The White House says Pete Hegseth authorized strikes but operational orders came from Admiral Mitch Bradley.
- Joshi notes political fallout may fall on Hegseth given prior controversies and his stance on military lawyers.
Use Congressional Oversight To Probe Strikes
- Congress, especially the Senate Armed Services Committee, should investigate and call Admiral Bradley to testify.
- Joshi stresses legislative oversight is the mechanism to determine legality and hold officials accountable.