Subject: Re: Diego Garcia
That's the rub, isn't it? If the UK doesn't cut this deal, and decides instead to maintain a hostile and antagonistic position towards Mauritius, can they keep it 100 years? The track record on that isn't great. Again, see Panama. A 99 year lease at least locks it in for 99 years; having to maintain an unpopular and somewhat indefensible assertion of colonial sovereignty in the modern day seems far less secure, IMHO.

Gitmo is the counter example. You think the Cubans want us there? Or the Chinese or the Russians or literally anyone else?

The only real question is: Why should we care what they think?

Except that feelz at the UN are a part of national security. China is an economic and diplomatic threat, not just a military one. They're using the Belt and Road project to wrap up allies and gain influence in developing nations all over the world.

Yup. Everywhere. Including Panama, btw. Sure glad we gave up control of the canal.

The UK's national security is probably better served by having 99 years and removing the diplomatic problem.


There was no real diplomatic problem until Starmer went and created one.