Why Trump has again demanded control over Afghanistan’s Bagram air base

Donald Trump has again demanded control over Afghanistan’s Bagram air base, which fell under Taliban control after the U.S. military withdrawal in 2021. Trump and his administration are in discussions with the Taliban about reclaiming the base, emphasizing its strategic importance. Trump has warned that “bad things” will happen if Afghanistan does not return Bagram to the U.S., underscoring its value due to its location near China, where he claims it could serve as a key position for monitoring Chinese nuclear weapons manufacturing. He criticized the Biden administration’s decision to completely withdraw from the base, calling it a “total disaster” and stating that the base was given away for nothing. The Bagram air base had served as the central hub for US operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades and is situated about an hour from Kabul.

The U.S. sees Bagram as vital for counterterrorism efforts, monitoring China, and accessing Afghanistan’s strategic minerals. However, the Taliban has firmly rejected the demand, asserting they will not allow foreign military presence on Afghan soil and have turned down similar requests during past negotiations. Afghan officials emphasize their sovereignty and reject any military deals involving foreign troops returning to the base. Trump’s renewed demand reflects both a strategic military perspective and political positioning related to U.S. interests in the region and rivalry with China.