Korean Media: British Diego Garcia Island — A Strategic Asset for the U.S. to Counter China
In the early 16th century, Portuguese explorers searching for a sea route to India discovered a coral island in the center of the Indian Ocean, roughly 60% the size of Ulleungdo Island. Located about 1,800 kilometers from southern India, the island was named "Diego Garcia" after a navigator. In the late 18th century, with the arrival of laborers from India and Africa brought by countries such as Britain, the island began development through coconut farming. The island drew attention due to the Cold War. In the 1960s, as Soviet military forces advanced into the Indian Ocean and the U.S. lacked any presence there, the strategic importance of oil transport routes through the Middle East grew significantly. Consequently, the United States built a large naval and air base on the island—then under British administration.
This island, isolated by the sea, faces minimal risk of attack from surrounding areas. Shaped like a "V," it has sufficient water depth to accommodate aircraft carriers or submarines, and can support a runway nearly 4 kilometers long. Large warships can be resupplied and repaired here, and heavy bombers can take off and land safely. The island hosts radar systems that connect global U.S. military communications and detect space launch vehicles, making it the U.S.'s "unsinkable aircraft carrier" in the Indian Ocean. During the 1991 Gulf War, B-52 bombers launched from this base conducted carpet bombing raids on Iraq, cutting travel distance in half compared to flights originating from the U.S. mainland. During the 2001 Afghanistan War and the 2003 Iraq War, B-2 stealth fighters also crossed the Indian Ocean to participate in operations.
Iran fired ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia, located 4,000 kilometers from its own territory. Iran originally did not possess ballistic missiles with ranges exceeding 2,000 kilometers; experts speculate this attack involved launching the warhead atop a satellite launch vehicle for long-range delivery. This indicates that attacks launched from the base have caused significant headaches for Iran. Iran’s missiles were intercepted by U.S. Aegis-equipped ships stationed near Diego Garcia, and the U.S. has established a tight defensive net around the island.
The island has recently become a strategic asset used to counter China. Most of China's oil imports from the Middle East and Africa must pass through the island's operational range. Both the Strait of Hormuz—the lifeline of oil shipments—and the Malacca Strait in Southeast Asia fall within the island’s control zone, making it a vital link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. With the establishment of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Japan and Guam serve as bases in the Pacific, while Diego Garcia acts as the central hub in the Indian Ocean.
Last year, the UK signed an agreement with Mauritius to return the island. However, Britain stated it would continue managing the military base for another 99 years. Yet, as the de facto administrator, the U.S. under President Trump objected, calling the return "a foolish decision." It appears highly unlikely that the U.S. will give up this island capable of controlling key regions including the Middle East, Africa, China, Southeast Asia, and critical oil shipping routes.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original Article: toutiao.com/article/1860422575130636/
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