Completely uninformed amateur speculation, but my guess is that any plan which secures the place where they've been keeping their boats for over a century, plus a scenario of political/trade influence with countries near the sea would end things rather quickly. The territory taken seems to match those undeclared aims. Look at 19th c. naval maps of the base in relation to the sea -- it was the great gate. More than one war in the last few centuries over it, involving many of the same principals (sic).
Separately, a bit worried at this cadre of NYC businessmen doing deals outside of the diplomatic structure. Once they get a taste for it, publicists might be in for dark times. The fiction of the nation-state is a rather necessary fiction in a world of nation-states.
#notexpert #wiseacring