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0 pointsconnicpu1y ago0 comments

It's easier to move a single military base at the end of a lease than an entire country

0 comments

AFAIK, the US and UK value Diego Garcia because currently there aren't geographical alternatives for that base. Where else could they put it that would have the same benefits?

BurningFrog1y ago

The lease expires in 2123. The militarily strategic landscape then is pretty much unknowable.

To a 1925 (99 years ago) military force, the Diego Garcia airfield would have had zero importance.

throw0101d1y ago

> The lease expires in 2123. The militarily strategic landscape then is pretty much unknowable.

I bet that's what the UK thought about Hong Kong in the late 1800s, but when 1996 rolled around I think they (and many HKers) would have liked a longer-and-99-years lease.

While geography isn't quite destiny, it is fairly important, and having a random rock in a place where there are no other rocks will always be useful IMHO (unless we perhaps develop teleportation).

BobAliceInATree1y ago

in 99 years, most of the island probably will be underwater due to climate change.

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mmooss1y ago

I wonder if they would have anticipated its value. I can anticipate a moon base would be valuable in 2123 even though it has little present value.

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gaadd331y ago

It would have had some value as a coaling or oiling station thought

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logifail1y ago

Q: Is there a reason for making a lease 99 years, rather than - say - 999 years?

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fosk1y ago

I am sure that if at the end of 99 years the US or the UK still really really want to retain them, they will find a way (another lease, or by force).

Mauritius is not China. Not that I am suggesting for this to happen, but what are they going to do if the UK just decides not to leave after 99 years?

ClumsyPilot1y ago

They said basically the same thing about HongKong. You can’t predict political landscape in 100 years

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ethbr11y ago

There are multiple islands and archipelagos in the region.

Close to Africa/ME: Maldives, Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte

Close to SE Asia: Cocos and Christmas Island

Diego Garcia just happened to be forcibly depopulated by the British, so was a convenient choice.

reaperducer1y ago

  Close to Africa/ME: Maldives, Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte
  Close to SE Asia: Cocos and Christmas Island

That's the whole point of Diego Garcia: It's not "close to" anywhere, and it's nearly in the middle of a bunch of places. That's what give it its strategic importance.

1 more reply

mmooss1y ago

I mean, what current option is equivalent to Diego Garcia? Are any of those options realistic right now?

1 more reply

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mmooss1y ago

AFAIK, the US and UK value Diego Garcia because currently there aren't geographical alternatives for that base. Where else could they put it that would have the same benefits?

BurningFrog1y ago

The lease expires in 2123. The militarily strategic landscape then is pretty much unknowable.

To a 1925 (99 years ago) military force, the Diego Garcia airfield would have had zero importance.

throw0101d1y ago

> The lease expires in 2123. The militarily strategic landscape then is pretty much unknowable.

I bet that's what the UK thought about Hong Kong in the late 1800s, but when 1996 rolled around I think they (and many HKers) would have liked a longer-and-99-years lease.

While geography isn't quite destiny, it is fairly important, and having a random rock in a place where there are no other rocks will always be useful IMHO (unless we perhaps develop teleportation).

BobAliceInATree1y ago

in 99 years, most of the island probably will be underwater due to climate change.

3 more replies

mmooss1y ago

I wonder if they would have anticipated its value. I can anticipate a moon base would be valuable in 2123 even though it has little present value.

1 more reply

gaadd331y ago

It would have had some value as a coaling or oiling station thought

1 more reply

logifail1y ago

Q: Is there a reason for making a lease 99 years, rather than - say - 999 years?

3 more replies

fosk1y ago

I am sure that if at the end of 99 years the US or the UK still really really want to retain them, they will find a way (another lease, or by force).

Mauritius is not China. Not that I am suggesting for this to happen, but what are they going to do if the UK just decides not to leave after 99 years?

ClumsyPilot1y ago

They said basically the same thing about HongKong. You can’t predict political landscape in 100 years

1 more reply

ethbr11y ago

There are multiple islands and archipelagos in the region.

Close to Africa/ME: Maldives, Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte

Close to SE Asia: Cocos and Christmas Island

Diego Garcia just happened to be forcibly depopulated by the British, so was a convenient choice.

reaperducer1y ago

  Close to Africa/ME: Maldives, Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte
  Close to SE Asia: Cocos and Christmas Island

That's the whole point of Diego Garcia: It's not "close to" anywhere, and it's nearly in the middle of a bunch of places. That's what give it its strategic importance.

1 more reply

mmooss1y ago

I mean, what current option is equivalent to Diego Garcia? Are any of those options realistic right now?

1 more reply

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