Bagram: Trump’s Latest Gamble in Afghanistan
DID Press: Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump once again drew global attention to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan with a series of controversial remarks.
Emphasizing Washington’s determination to retake the strategic base, Trump claimed that its proximity to China’s nuclear facilities in Xinjiang was a key motivation for the decision.
His statements, later accompanied by explicit threats against the Taliban on Truth Social, not only reflect Trump’s aggressive stance but also raise serious questions about the potential consequences for Kabul–Washington relations.
In his recent remarks, Trump warned—without providing details—that if the Taliban do not hand over Bagram, “bad things” will happen.
The ambiguous threat, issued on September 20, was met with a firm response from the Taliban. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group’s foreign minister, rejected the demand, calling it a violation of Afghanistan’s national sovereignty. This response underscores Taliban’s insistence on independence and rejection of foreign interference.
Trump’s insistence on retaking Bagram—which he claims is just an hour from China’s nuclear sites—carries strategic implications. Historically, Bagram, one of the largest U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, played a central role in NATO surveillance and intelligence operations.
Its proximity to China and Russia potentially makes it a tool for monitoring Washington’s geopolitical rivals. However, such positioning could heighten tensions with Beijing and Moscow, pushing the region toward greater instability.
Furthermore, Trump’s statements and threats reflect a continued imperial mindset that challenges the sovereignty of other nations. Bagram is part of an independent country, not a U.S. state subject to unilateral intervention.
This unilateral approach has already encountered Taliban resistance and could lead to further diplomatic isolation for Washington in the region. While the Taliban previously emphasized engagement with the U.S., they are now taking a more rigid stance in response to these pressures.
A U.S. military return to Bagram, while wounds from Afghanistan’s 20-year war remain unhealed, could have serious consequences. It risks direct confrontation with the Taliban and may increase mistrust among regional powers.
China and Russia, long sensitive to U.S. military presence near their borders, are likely to perceive these moves as direct threats.
Overall, Trump’s persistence in retaking Bagram may create more problems than it solves. A lack of thorough strategic planning increases the risk of repeating past mistakes.
Kabul–Washington relations, already fragile, now face a new and tense phase. Whether Trump’s ambitions will result in anything other than heightened regional tension and geopolitical complexity remains to be seen.
By Ahmad Zaki Navisa