London: In a striking statement on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Washington is seeking to regain control of Afghanistan's historic Bagram Air Base. Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump highlighted the strategic significance of the Soviet-era airstrip, emphasizing its proximity to Chinese territory and potential value for U.S. military operations in the region. "We're trying to get it back," he said, underlining a desire to reestablish a foothold in Afghanistan nearly four years after the U.S. withdrawal.
Bagram, once the primary hub for American forces following the September 11, 2001 attacks, was abandoned during the 2021 U.S. exit, leading to its swift takeover by the Taliban. The base has since symbolized both the end of America’s prolonged military involvement in Afghanistan and the challenges of sustaining regional influence without a physical presence.
Despite Trump’s announcement, Afghan authorities have been unequivocal in their opposition. Zakir Jalal, a senior official at Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, stated on social media platform X that Kabul will not entertain any agreements that permit U.S. military deployment on Afghan soil. Jalal stressed that bilateral relations should instead focus on economic and political collaboration founded on mutual respect and shared interests, rather than military entanglement.
The U.S. interest in Bagram arises amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to negotiate the release of American citizens detained in Afghanistan. U.S. envoys, including Special Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler and former Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, recently engaged with Taliban officials in talks concerning the fate of these detainees. Washington, however, does not formally recognize the Taliban administration, which seized control in 2021 after two decades of U.S. military presence.
The situation underscores a broader geopolitical tension: while the United States views Bagram as a strategically valuable site for regional security and influence, Afghanistan remains firm on preserving its sovereignty and preventing foreign military presence. How this standoff evolves will have far-reaching implications for U.S.-Afghan relations and the delicate balance of power in South and Central Asia.