How can one comprehend the thought process of the Biden-Harris administration agreeing to yield an essential U.S. military base to a nation whose relations with the Chinese Communist Party continue to strengthen? This really defies logic. The military stronghold under discussion is located in the Chagos Archipelago, boasting north of 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, including the significant Diego Garcia which is a hub for U.S. and British military operations catering to endeavors in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
The strategic relevance of Diego Garcia is undebatable. It stands as one of the few worldwide locales equipped to refuel submarines. With countless Navy ships and long-range bombers hosted there, it fulfills major military missions globally. Its crucial role turns it into a prime target for Chinese Communist Party espionage.
At this moment, the safety of our assets on Diego Garcia stands unwavering, largely thanks to the British control over the Chagos Islands. The trusted alliance that existed between the United States and United Kingdom in safeguarding common missions now seems to be disastrously unraveling.
Shocking news came as the United Kingdom broadcasted its decision to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. After enduring unrelenting international pressure initiated by certain members of the United Nations, the UK finally succumbed. This International Court of Justice-inspired campaign cites the wrongful separation of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius back in 1968 when the UK granted independence to Mauritius.
Note that the said International Court of Justice edict is neither binding nor enforceable on the United States or the United Kingdom. This decision isn’t truly about fixed past trespasses of the UK against the Chagos population. The Chagos community asserts indigenous status, although Chagos Islands and Mauritius, with distances over 1200 miles apart, share no pre-colonial history and communicate in different forms of Creole language. Hence, to put it bluntly, the islands essentially share virtually no connection.
An important testament to this comes from Peter Lamb, a Parliament member in Britain who represents the largest community of Chagossians. According to Lamb, no one in his constituency supports bringing the Chagos Islands under Mauritian control. The Mauritian government doesn’t even confirm whether it would permit Chagossians to visit the islands.
So what spurred this international campaign? The objective is clear – to guilt-trip the United Kingdom for maintaining a presence in Africa. Regrettably, this tactic enjoyed success. As part of the transfer agreement, Mauritius vowed to grant a 99-year lease to the UK, allowing the existence of the British and American base on Diego Garcia.
However, the proposed duration of the lease is the least of our worries. The duty of safeguarding Diego Garcia from espionage efforts by China now lies on Mauritius. Despite being a beautiful island teeming with delightful citizens, Mauritius lacks the intimidating international influence required to counter China’s formidable clout.
The Chinese Communist Party is well-known for leveraging its power to sway the governments of weaker nations. With the signing of this treaty by the UK and Mauritius, we can’t predict who will seek opportunities to jeopardize Diego Garcia’s security. The Chinese espionage infrastructure has reportedly infiltrated American bases as frequently as 100 times in recent history.
In the midst of escalating global conflicts, the risk to the security of Diego Garcia couldn’t be a worse development. Despite the obvious risk, Biden and Harris didn’t lift a finger to stall the progress of this dangerous deal. Incredibly, they even proceeded to celebrate the decision.
The fact is that the deal between the UK and Mauritius wouldn’t have happened had the U.S. raised any objections. Diego Garcia’s vital role makes it impossible for negotiations to proceed without the Biden-Harris administration’s express approval.
Either the Biden-Harris administration genuinely believes that Mauritius possesses the capacity and courage to counter China and protect Diego Garcia’s security, or their objections were suppressed to avoid backlash if they defended America’s interests. It’s truly baffling what rationale guided their decision-making process.
Once the UK hands over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, it’s a one-way street. There’s no undoing this move. Diego Garcia’s fate and consequently our national security will be solely dependent on Mauritius’s government’s whims and ability.
This is a mess not even the most competent future administration may be able to restore. The American people deserve full transparency explaining why Biden and Harris endorsed this irreversible, perilous deal.
It’s high time Congress took stern measures to hold the Biden-Harris administration to account for this short-sighted and dangerous decision. One can’t help but wonder why the Biden-Harris administration is so hell-bent on compromising American interests and strengthening the position of the Chinese Communist Party?
In conclusion, this decision under the Biden-Harris administration brings forth a plethora of hard-hitting questions related to national security, international relations, and the genuine commitment to defending America’s long-term interests. The lack of preventative action from Biden and Harris, and their celebration post-decision, casts woeful shadows upon their aptitude and their ability to robustly steer America on the world stage.