The Chagos Islands deal that could threaten the special relationship | The Story

Having ruled the Chagos Islands since the 1800s, the UK now wants to cede sovereignty of the tiny archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. But one island is home to a secretive US military base and, with the growing threat of Chinese influence in the region, America is worried. Yesterday, the Mauritian PM said Sir Keir Starmer intends to “push ahead” with his deal - Whitehall suggested the same. But if it does happen, might it risk the relationship between Donald Trump and the British Prime Minister?
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Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Further reading: Trump’s secretary of state warns UK of China’s ‘malign influence.’
Further listening: Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump.
Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, parliamentlive.tv, The Guardian, Reuters.
Photo: Getty Images.
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[@brandonvenegas8327]

I am beginning to think Starmer is a chinese agent. Philby is the prime minister. If I were the US, I would say sorry world security is more important than special relationship.

[@StoccTube]

There is no “special relationship”. I’m a Brit living in Australia for 20+ years, the Aussies think “they” have the special relationship, the Canadians the same (arguably they should), and many others think along the same lines.

[@andybussa1323]

Your allowed more than one friend pal

[@Longhauler85]

The UK is the mother country to all of the anglo-sphere.

[@guyh9992]

Yes, when Churchill invented the term special relationship in Missouri in 1946 he meant between the USA and the entire British Commonwealth not just Britain.

[@YUDNSAY]

JD Vance said a few days before the inauguration that 'The UK could become the first Islamic country with a nuclear arsenal' anyone see a problem with the USA over that?

[@Skygrey2943]

Err Pakistan has nukes.

[@Jim-pm6jk]

@@Skygrey2943 Usual American ignorance about the rest of the world.

[@stormhawk31]

Sure do.

[@Jim-pm6jk]

@stormhawk31 Tough.

[@TheJewishAzovMember]

​@@Skygrey2943 Pakistan military has nukes. If they weren't a dictorship, say good bye to their neighbor's

[@contactluke80]

You would have to have rocks in your head to give this up.

[@koiguidenishikigoi4972]

We Indians like London very much 😁

[@Sayid-al-Furat]

It belongs to the Chagossians anyways.

[@jonbaxter2254]

Remember, we're supposed to pay Mauritius for these as well. They won't pay us a penny!

[@System-Update]

“Special relationship” is what all abused partners tell themselves.

[@samwilliams9352]

Britain is pretty quite about Trump wanting to take Canada , what's up?

[@cgourin]

My guess is that the world is adapting to the new baby with a grenade diplomacy: don't reason or threaten but distract, entertain and cajole.

[@koiguidenishikigoi4972]

One Brother taking another Brother they all came in the same tiny boat.

[@davetdowell]

Canada is an Independent nation, we are not an Imperial power anymore, so what happens between America and Canada has nothing to do with us. Remember that is what the world wanted, we decolonised because everyone wanted it. So like the ex-colonies of Africa, they're all on their own now. Don't look to us for anything, we're not interested.

[@TheJewishAzovMember]

​​@@davetdowellsome allied nation Britain is. Bend over for all their enemies and silence when the nations that sent over 200,000 of their sons to die in British wars last century need support. What do you guys stand for other than white guilt?

[@jbing6251]

Starmer is scared of Musk after the brutal attack from Musk.

[@gogosegaga]

Starmer out.

[@maxthemagition]

Really bad showing Ascension Island instead of Diego Garcia which is almost under water!!! Google Map Diego Garcia for the reality,

[@DasTubemeister]

I thought I recognised Ascension Island. Been there several times.

[@peteratkin3788]

Special Relationship, if it ever existed, it does not now.

[@JN-om6rw]

There is no special relationship.. all pie in the sky of deluded clutching at straws

[@jbing6251]

The relationship works only when Trump wins and you lose.

[@4ggranit]

Boy that'd be a real loss....the USA should pull away from any "relationship" if said country won't spend at least what the US is spending. The UK spends very little, thinking the USA would always have their back.....well guess what. We're about done with the UK and several other countries. Goobye

[@bauer9101]

Don’t blame you. I hate our leadership.

[@Jim-pm6jk]

I'd love the USA to pull away from the UK, your relationship with us has always been abusive. AS one of your own said, 'to be Americas enemy is dangerous to be it's friend is fatal'

[@Doochos]

The UK spends 2.3% of its GDP on defence, and will increase it. That isn't 'very little'.

[@garethdeere6412]

Sounds like uk is planning to spend £18 billion so the US can keep its base on Diego Garcia surely the US should pay that or at least say thank you

[@stormhawk31]

​@@Jim-pm6jkReally? You'd be speaking German if not for us.

[@AvaT42]

This was a really good interview, very interesting to listen to.

[@imperatorvespasian3125]

why does the UK think there is a special relationship? the Americans don't know what your talking about

[@guyh9992]

When Churchill invented the term "Special Relationship" in Missouri in 1946 he meant between the British Commonwealth and the USA leveraging off long standing American relationships with Canada in North America and more recently with Australia and NZ in the SW Pacific. It was an attempt to keep Britain relevant in a world where it was no longer a Superpower. Somehow the British forgot about the Commonwealth while making it all about themselves.

[@Infopirates]

Kneel before King Donald. 😁😁😁

[@jeffwenger5610]

Are you going to take it back from the US? Nope! Your military is tiny now, good luck with that.

[@born2damn822]

😂

Just pull out of this "deal' who gives a f about some shi@@y UN 'court'. The French don't give up overseas territory.

[@gregdobbs2577]

thank you for this report

[@mosi-o-tunya]

The island shown is not Diego Garcia

[@justinb7940]

it is Ascension Island

[@bauer9101]

Did Baldrick negotiate this deal?

[@mosi-o-tunya]

This is Ascension Island. Atlantic Ocean.

[@DavidEdwards-e6m]

Its not a complicated mess, its just that as ever we don't know the whole story.

[@bigglesharrumpher4139]

And Trump now wants to do the same to the Gazan's.

[@joybell7550]

COMMON WEALTH TREATY LAND LEASE FROM LATE QUEEN

[@MeTubeUser]

That island in the picture is not Diego Garcia. What island is it?

[@jamesmcdaniel1665]

Geez you guys, Diego Garcia is the major bomber and heavy aircraft base in that part of the ocean. It covers East Africa, the Middle East and Suez. B-52, B-1, and B-2 Strategic bombers refuel and rearm, and are repaired there. Very secure and very necessary for security and anti piracy ventures. As far as world security goes there is no better use for this island. The sort of thing one never gives up. If we did China would get it for a century. The CCP is moving strategically all around us. Best to wake up. Trump just forced the reduction of CCP influence in the Panama Canal Zone as well. It is also the reason for our interest in Greenland as well.

[@karljensen893]

Interesting story told in a terrible format especially the lead in.

[@BrianWillcox-qp2hr]

There is no "special relations",

[@dpcooper381]

Just give us the facts, Ma'am.

[@Lastman1900]

Whatever Trump does or ask do the opposite. We are Europe and not American.

[@stormhawk31]

Great. I'll tell Trump to order Europe NOT to empty its vaults of gold and silver bullion and ship them to the US. I'll also ask him to order the countries of Europe NOT to surrender their sovereignty to the US. Go ahead and tell them to do the opposite. 😂 🫏 🎩

[@louisoost121]

Until you need to be defended. All those fighting age men in europe are just waiting. Get a grip

[@matthewdiment2325]

Its Britosh amd should stay British