The Chagos Islands deal that could threaten the special relationship

The Chagos Islands deal that could threaten the special relationship

Author: The Times February 5, 2025 Duration: 32:02

Having ruled the Chagos Islands since the 1800s, the UK now wants to cede sovereignty of the tiny archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. But one island is home to a secretive US military base and, with the growing threat of Chinese influence in the region, America is worried. Yesterday, the Mauritian PM said Sir Keir Starmer intends to “push ahead” with his deal - Whitehall suggested the same. But if it does happen, might it risk the relationship between Donald Trump and the British Prime Minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times. 

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Trump’s secretary of state warns UK of China’s ‘malign influence.’

Further listening: Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump.

Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, parliamentlive.tv, The Guardian, Reuters.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
India: The next global superpower? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
India will soon surpass China as the most populous country in the world. As China’s population slumps, could India’s population rise spell a new chapter in the country’s economic growth, and could it help make it a globa…
Eurovision 2023: A very political song contest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
The UK is holding this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine which won last year but can’t fulfil its hosting duties because of the war. So what can we expect? What role is Eurovision playing in the war eff…
Turkey’s knife-edge election: Is Erdogan’s time up? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
As polling suggests the public are losing faith in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s authoritarian rule, what does this weekend’s election mean for Turkey - and the wider world? This podcast was brought to you thanks to…
An MI6 agent's journey from spy to killer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
A British man was recruited by MI5 and MI6 to infiltrate al-Qaeda training camps – but then brought the horror back home.This episode contains descriptions of strong violence and might not be suitable for all listeners.…
Qatargate: The inside story of the big Brussels bung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
It’s part thriller, part farce, starring a glamorous Greek MEP, an Italian toyboy and bundles of euros stuffed in suitcases and hidden under beds. So did Qatar buy its way into the European parliament? This podcast was…
Planet Hope: Navigating the Great Spine of Africa with Steve Boyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:09
This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.The balance between wilderness areas…
How to crown a King, 2023-style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Tomorrow, Charles will be crowned King at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony marked with hundreds of years of tradition. Just how will the coronation represent our more modern country, and what might we expect from his reig…
Poison (Pt 4) - UPDATE: Kenneth Law is arrested [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:03
Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. On Tuesday night, police in Canada announced the arrest and charge of a 57-year-old man on two counts of aiding or counselling suicide.In this update to our three…