DID Press: Afghanistan’s position as a strategic crossroads has historically made it a theater of great power competition. From the Soviet invasion to the U.S.-led coalition, foreign military presence has left deep sensitivities across Afghanistan society, a context now shaping the Taliban’s foreign policy posture.
The issue of foreign military presence arose during Tuesday’s Moscow Format summit, where varying views were expressed. Taliban acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reiterated Afghanistan’s insistence on full independence and rejected any foreign military presence. Analysts note that while this stance resonates with historical nationalist sentiment, it is also informed by complex regional calculations that place the Taliban at the center of competing interests.
The debate over a possible U.S. return to Bagram Air Base—once a key U.S. military and intelligence hub—has recently gained international attention. US President Donald Trump repeatedly cited the base as vital to maintaining U.S. intelligence capabilities in the region. However, regional dynamics, including Russia’s opposition to third-party military infrastructure in Afghanistan, complicate any such plans.
Muttaqi’s statements also highlighted the Taliban’s pursuit of balanced economic, political, and diplomatic relations with regional and global actors. Analysts point out a fundamental tension: international recognition and engagement require adherence to global norms, including human rights, women’s rights, and inclusive governance—standards the Taliban has yet to fully embrace.
Observers suggest that U.S. assumptions about retaking Bagram without respecting Afghan sovereignty overlook the new regional realities. Afghanistan can no longer serve as a unilateral stage for Washington, and any foreign military presence risks triggering domestic opposition while intensifying great power competition.
As Afghanistan faces potential major transformations, the key question remains whether the Taliban can maintain political independence while bridging international expectations with domestic realities—a challenge likely to shape the country’s political future.
By Ahmad Zaki Navisa, DID Press Agency