Trump's U-Turn on Chagos Deal Sparks Diplomatic Tensions
In a dramatic reversal, former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, cautioning him against succumbing to what he termed 'wokeism' in the contentious Chagos Islands sovereignty dispute. This abrupt shift comes just one day after Trump publicly endorsed the agreement, highlighting the volatile nature of his foreign policy pronouncements.
Strategic Military Base at the Heart of the Controversy
The Chagos archipelago, home to the critical Diego Garcia military base jointly operated by the US and UK, has been a focal point of international debate for decades. Under the proposed deal, the UK would lease the base from Mauritius for an estimated £35 billion over the next century, a move initially supported by the US State Department earlier this week.
However, in a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump vehemently opposed the arrangement, asserting that leases are 'no good' and emphasizing the base's potential necessity for potential strikes against Iran. He declared, 'Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease.'
Historical Context and Human Rights Concerns
The Chagos Islands have been embroiled in a sovereignty conflict since 1965, when they were separated from Mauritius during its independence process. The indigenous Chagossian population was forcibly removed to accommodate the military installation, leading to a prolonged campaign for their right to return. Trump's comments dismiss these historical claims, referring to them as 'entities never known of before,' further inflaming sensitivities around the issue.
Escalating Geopolitical Tensions with Iran
Trump's warning coincides with heightened military activity, as dozens of US aircraft are reportedly en route to the Middle East amid deteriorating relations with Iran. Sources indicate that any potential conflict could involve joint operations with Israel, with one Trump adviser suggesting a 90% likelihood of kinetic action in the coming weeks. This backdrop adds urgency to Trump's insistence on maintaining control over Diego Garcia as a strategic asset.
Political Fallout and Domestic Criticism
The reversal has drawn sharp criticism from UK political figures, with Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel labeling Trump's outburst as 'an utter humiliation' for Starmer. She called for the Prime Minister to abandon the deal entirely, reflecting the domestic pressure mounting over the agreement. Trump's fluctuating stance—from praising the deal as 'the best he could make' to condemning it as 'an act of great stupidity'—underscores the unpredictability that has characterized his approach to international diplomacy.
As tensions with Iran reach a critical juncture, the Chagos Islands deal remains a litmus test for UK-US relations and global security dynamics, with Trump's latest intervention injecting further uncertainty into an already complex geopolitical landscape.
