US President Donald Trump has said his administration is working to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, more than four years after it was left during the 2021 withdrawal.
Speaking at a joint press conference in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said, “We are trying to get it back because they need things from us, and we want that base back,” according to AP News.
Strategic Importance of Bagram Air Base
Trump emphasized the location’s relevance to China. He said, “Bagram Air Base is about an hour away from where nuclear weapons are developed in China,” as reported by the Washington Post. He added that the United States had given away the base “for nothing” under former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal policy.
Taliban Response From Afghanistan
According to Reuters, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry rejected any idea of a renewed US military presence. Zakir Jalal, a ministry official, said, “Engagement with Afghanistan should be economic and political, not military, and based on mutual respect.”
The Taliban, who have controlled Bagram Air Base since the US withdrawal in 2021, have not publicly confirmed whether any negotiations on its future use are taking place, as per Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFERL).
Challenges in Regaining Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan
Analysts cited by Reuters note that reclaiming Bagram Air Base would require significant troop deployment, financial resources, and long-term security arrangements. Reports suggest that the base infrastructure may have deteriorated since 2021, and threats from groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda inside Afghanistan remain.
As per AP News, no timeline or operational details have been announced. Since the United States does not officially recognize the Taliban government, any agreement involving military use of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan would face diplomatic and legal hurdles.
