Britain to Hand Back Chagos Islands, but is Keeping a Foot in the Door

UK Forces Ready but Unused in Response to Iran’s Missile Strikes on Israel

In the latest flare-up of Middle Eastern tensions, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that UK forces were on standby to support Israel after Iran fired ballistic missiles at the country. Healey, choosing his words carefully, admitted that British forces "played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation." Although two RAF Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager refuelling tanker were ready for action, they didn’t need to engage with Iranian targets. Call it a show of strength with the safety still on.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been vocal about Britain’s "steadfast commitment" to Israel’s security, and it’s clear the UK isn't taking any chances. In fact, around 700 Armed Forces personnel, along with staff from the Foreign and Home Offices, were swiftly deployed to Cyprus this week as part of a broader contingency plan. The message is clear: the UK is fully prepared for whatever might come next.

Unsurprisingly, the UK government has been quick to condemn Iran’s missile strikes, with Starmer, Healey, and Foreign Secretary David Lammy all calling for immediate de-escalation. 

While the UK government has condemned Iran’s strikes and called for de-escalation, their involvement so far has been mostly about readiness rather than direct intervention. It seems, for now, they’re keeping a watchful eye without stepping directly into the fray.

Britain to Hand Back Chagos Islands, but is Keeping a Foot in the Door

In a move that’s been decades in the making, the UK has agreed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending more than half a century of territorial dispute over this remote Indian Ocean archipelago. After 13 rounds of negotiations (and enough international pressure to pop a tyre), the UK is finally handing over the islands—its last African colony—marking a historic shift in post-colonial relations.

The Chagos Islands have been a thorny issue for Britain, particularly due to its rather unsavoury eviction of the Chagossians in the 1960s and 70s to make room for a joint UK-US military base. Many view the displacement of these islanders as one of the darkest chapters of post-war British colonialism. But the new agreement, which includes the right of return for the Chagossian people, aims to rectify that wrong. As the treaty puts it, this deal will “address the wrongs of the past” and show the UK and Mauritius are serious about improving the welfare of the Chagossians. Better late than never, right?

But before you assume this is Britain finally washing its hands of colonial baggage, think again. The UK isn’t completely stepping away from the islands. The strategically vital military base on Diego Garcia, a key asset for both UK and US forces in the region, is staying put. The treaty ensures its continued operation, safeguarding international security in a region increasingly squeezed by global power plays between the West, China, and India. So while Mauritius gets sovereignty over the islands, Diego Garcia will remain firmly under the Union Jack (and Stars and Stripes).

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the Falkland Islands are feeling a bit jittery. With Britain giving up control of one colonial territory, some Falklanders are starting to wonder if their sovereignty might be next on the negotiating table. Alison Blake, the Falklands’ governor, moved quickly to calm any fears, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that the UK’s commitment to the islanders’ sovereignty is “unwavering” and “remains undiminished.” 

This delicate balancing act is being hailed as a diplomatic success, with US President Joe Biden even chiming in to praise the agreement as a “clear demonstration” that diplomacy can resolve even the most stubborn historical disputes. Whether or not he had the Middle East in mind with that comment is up for debate, but the message is clear—nations can work through old grievances without resorting to conflict.

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