Bagram: New Battleground of US–China Rivalry in Afghanistan

DID Press: Bagram Air Base, once the centerpiece of America’s military presence in Afghanistan, has now emerged as a focal point of geopolitical competition between Washington and Beijing, even as the Taliban caretaker government has categorically rejected any return of U.S. forces.

According to an analysis by News 9, renewed U.S. interest in reclaiming Bagram highlights Afghanistan’s entry into a broader and more complex arena of great-power rivalry.

Located 60 kilometers north of Kabul, Bagram—with its dual runways and extensive facilities—played a central role in military, logistical, and surveillance operations. At the height of U.S. deployment in 2012, it hosted over 100,000 troops and was regarded as the heart of the war against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Today, the dynamics are shifting. China’s growing engagement with the Taliban authorities, particularly its push to exploit Afghanistan’s mineral wealth under the Belt and Road Initiative, has raised U.S. concerns. Analysts argue that regaining Bagram would allow Washington to curb Beijing’s influence while reaffirming American power across West Asia.

Yet, the Taliban’s unequivocal opposition to any renewed U.S. military presence complicates the picture. Officials of the group insist the base will remain under Afghan control, forcing Washington to weigh its strategic competition with China against the risks of reigniting tensions with Kabul.

For now, the future of Bagram remains uncertain. Its strategic value is undisputed, but how the United States pursues its objectives without deepening instability in Afghanistan is a question that may shape regional geopolitics for years to come.