Trump Is Pushing to Reclaim Bagram Air Base from Afghanistan
US President Donald Trump has sparked renewed discussion regarding the Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan’s most critical military installation. During a state visit, Trump spoke alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that the US is “trying to get it back,” referring to what was abandoned during the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021. “We provided it to them at no cost. We want that base back?” stated Trump.
Bagram, situated 60 km north of Kabul, served as the largest US installation in Afghanistan and functioned as a central hub for counterinsurgency operations. In 2012, at its height, over 100,000 American troops were present. The runway, measuring 11,800 feet, is capable of accommodating bombers and heavy cargo planes, a fact that Trump described as “one of the most powerful bases in the world.” Trump’s most compelling argument is rooted in geography. “It’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” he stated. A report says that Bagram is situated less than 1,500 miles from China’s Hami missile field in Xinjiang and is under 500 miles from the Afghan-Xinjiang border. China’s foreign ministry has dismissed Trump’s comments, cautioning that “stirring up tension” would not be welcomed. Bagram played a crucial role in US operations targeting ISIS-K, Al-Qaeda, and the Pakistani Taliban. In 2025, UN officials cautioned that ISIS-K continues to be “one of the most dangerous branches,” operating in Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia.
According to a report, Al Qaeda has since established nine additional training camps in Afghanistan, while the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has conducted over 600 attacks from Afghan territory in the latter half of 2024. Trump contends that reclaiming Bagram is crucial for reestablishing an American presence. Officials from the Taliban categorically dismissed Trump’s proposal. “Afghanistan is fully independent, governed by its own people, and not dependent on any foreign power,” stated Taliban’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Fasihuddin Fitrat during an event in Kabul, as reported by Bloomberg. “We do not fear any bully or aggressor.” Despite the recent release of Western detainees, the Taliban has demonstrated no willingness to permit the return of foreign forces. Experts warn that the likelihood of retaking Bagram is slim.
Bill Roggio of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies cautioned that the Taliban and China would oppose any US return, as reported. Reoccupation would necessitate substantial troop deployments, violate the Doha Agreement, and put a strain on relations with Pakistan, Russia, and Iran. However, Trump has refrained from providing a direct response regarding the deployment of troops to reclaim the base. “We won’t talk about that,” he told reporters on Saturday.
