Staff Reports
The little island of Diego Garcia might not be on and everyone’s vacation itinerary, but it plays a big role in the world of military strategy, especially for the United States and the United Kingdom. Nestled in the Indian Ocean, this strategic base allows America to keep a watchful eye over the Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. As conflicts simmer and China spreads its wings in the region, concerns are brewing about what the future holds for this pivotal military installation.
Diego Garcia is not just any island; it’s home to a significant portion of the U.S. military’s B-2 bomber fleet and boasts a guided missile destroyer, which is no small feat. This island fortress is currently at the forefront of operations against the Houthis in Yemen and serves as a clear signal to Iran regarding their nuclear ambitions. However, lurking in the background is the British government’s plan to hand over sovereignty of the island to Mauritius, a deal that seems to have China’s fingerprints on it. With the Biden administration’s backing of this arrangement, skepticism is running high among military and government officials about the wisdom of such a move.
In the world of politics, handing over a military base to a country with strong ties to China sounds like giving away the keys to a candy store in a neighborhood overrun by candy thieves. Critics of the UK-Mauritius deal believe that if the transfer goes through, Beijing could see this as an opportunity to establish a foothold in the Indian Ocean. As one former official put it, what happens if Mauritius decides to cut a deal with China to build a military base on one of the other nearby islands? It’s a question that raises eyebrows and sends shivers down the spines of those who understand the implications.
To offer a brief history, Diego Garcia has its roots in colonial times, originally controlled by France and later transferred to British rule. The military base was established during the Cold War, and since then, it has become an essential logistics hub for the U.S. military. Not only does it house everything from nuclear submarines to giant transport planes, but its strategic location has proven invaluable. For instance, after the September 11 attacks, the U.S. utilized Diego Garcia to move hundreds of tanks and other vital equipment to Afghanistan – a task that saved both time and money.
Despite the arguments in favor of the UK giving up the islands, especially to avoid legal complications stemming from the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the matter, doubts still linger. Critics argue that giving up Diego Garcia could jeopardize not only the United States’ military capabilities in the area but also global security. With China looking to expand its influence, allowing them to get a foot in the door—well, that seems like a recipe for disaster.
While the details continue to be ironed out, the deal would allow Mauritius to claim sovereignty, while still permitting the U.S. and U.K. to maintain access to the base, with a lease for a lucky 99 years. The Prime Minister of Mauritius has publicly assured that he would not let China take control of Diego Garcia, but with close ties between Mauritius and China growing stronger every year, many are understandably skeptical about this promise sticking in the long run.
As tensions simmer in the Middle East and U.S. attention shifts toward an increasingly assertive China, the fate of Diego Garcia hangs in the balance. It’s not an immediate danger, but the outlook is troubling. The tiny island might be small in size, but as military officials would argue, its importance to U.S. security is anything but tiny.
