The Untold Story: Unveiling the Secret History of the Military Base on Diego Garcia

Deep within the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean lies an island shrouded in secrecy, holding a hidden history that has remained concealed from the public eye for decades. Diego Garcia, a remote and strategically positioned coral atoll, has been the subject of controversy and speculation, making it one of the world's most fascinating military bases.

Located approximately 1,000 miles off the southern coast of India, Diego Garcia has a long and complex history. It was originally uninhabited until the French arrived in the 18th century and claimed it as a possession.

Over the years, Diego Garcia changed hands multiple times, with different European powers exerting control over the island. In the late 1960s, the United States decided to lease this small piece of land from the United Kingdom to establish a military base. The agreement allowed the US to develop the island as a strategic military outpost in the Indian Ocean.

Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia

by David Vine(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1650 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

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The Birth of a Military Base

The military base on Diego Garcia was initially designed to serve as a refueling and support station for American aircraft during the Cold War. However, its true significance became apparent during the Gulf War when the base played a critical role in launching strategic bombing strikes against Iraq.

The strategic location of Diego Garcia, along with its long runway and advanced facilities, positioned the base as a key asset for projecting American military power in the region. It became an essential node in the worldwide network of US military bases, aiding in intelligence operations, surveillance, and counter-terrorism efforts in the Middle East and beyond.

A Web of Controversy

However, the development and operation of the military base on Diego Garcia have not been without controversy. One of the darkest chapters in the island's history revolves around the forced relocation of the native Chagossian people.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the UK forcibly removed the Chagossians from Diego Garcia to make way for the American military base. This forced displacement, carried out in secrecy and under the guise of environmental concerns, left the Chagossians without a homeland, leading to a contentious legal battle that continues to this day.

Moreover, allegations of human rights abuses and illegal detention have plagued the military base on Diego Garcia. Multiple reports have emerged, suggesting that the US conducted covert operations and held suspects without due process or legal rights. The base allegedly served as a clandestine interrogation center during the war on terror, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations worldwide.

The Hidden Side: Classified Operations

Besides the well-known controversies, there are several classified operations that illuminate the murky side of the military base on Diego Garcia. Although information remains scarce, leaked documents and whistleblower testimonies have shed some light on the covert activities conducted within its heavily guarded perimeter.

From alleged black sites and secret detention centers to covert surveillance missions, the military base on Diego Garcia has reportedly played a shadowy role in various operations. These operations, carried out in utmost secrecy, continue to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories.

Island of Intrigue

Diego Garcia's hidden history and clandestine operations have turned it into a hotbed of intrigue and speculation. The island's remote location, coupled with its association with classified military activities, has made it the subject of numerous theories and debates.

Some conspiracy theorists believe that extraterrestrial encounters may have occurred on the island, while others speculate about hidden treasure or lost civilizations buried beneath its surface. These theories, though unverified, add to Diego Garcia's mystique and capture the imagination of those seeking a dose of adventure and mystery.

The military base on Diego Garcia remains an enigmatic outpost, entangled in a web of secrecy, controversy, and unconfirmed rumors. Its strategic importance, coupled with its checkered past, has cast a long shadow over this tiny island, captivating the curiosity of historians, conspiracy theorists, and ordinary individuals alike.

As the years roll by, it is likely that Diego Garcia will continue to guard its secrets, leaving us to wonder what lies beneath the surface and what intricate history awaits further revelation.

Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia

by David Vine(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1650 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

FREE

The American military base on the island of Diego Garcia is one of the most strategically important and secretive U.S. military installations outside the United States. Located near the remote center of the Indian Ocean and accessible only by military transport, the little-known base has been instrumental in American military operations from the Cold War to the war on terror and may house a top-secret CIA prison where terror suspects are interrogated and tortured. But Diego Garcia harbors another dirty secret, one that has been kept from most of the world--until now.

Island of Shame is the first major book to reveal the shocking truth of how the United States conspired with Britain to forcibly expel Diego Garcia's indigenous people--the Chagossians--and deport them to slums in Mauritius and the Seychelles, where most live in dire poverty to this day. Drawing on interviews with Washington insiders, military strategists, and exiled islanders, as well as hundreds of declassified documents, David Vine exposes the secret history of Diego Garcia. He chronicles the Chagossians' dramatic, unfolding story as they struggle to survive in exile and fight to return to their homeland. Tracing U.S. foreign policy from the Cold War to the war on terror, Vine shows how the United States has forged a new and pervasive kind of empire that is quietly dominating the planet with hundreds of overseas military bases.

Island of Shame is an unforgettable exposé of the human costs of empire and a must-read for anyone concerned about U.S. foreign policy and its consequences. The author will donate all royalties from the sale of this book to the Chagossians.

Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.