UK Halts Chagos Islands Deal Amid U.S. Resistance, Strategic Tensions

The UK has paused its controversial plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing a lack of support from Washington. Central to the standoff is Diego Garcia, a key U.S.-British military base in the Indian Ocean. Britain intended to retain control of the base under a 99-year lease, but U.S. opposition, led by Donald Trump, has severely complicated negotiations. Trump's public criticism of the deal as a "big mistake" reflects deeper strains in the so-called "special relat