Beijing Invites Mullah Yaqoob to Assess Taliban’s Readiness against US

DID Press: Reports indicate that China has invited Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, acting defense minister of the Taliban administration, to Beijing in order to evaluate the group’s preparedness for a possible U.S. military operation in Afghanistan.

According to the Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the unexpected invitation is linked to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared Washington intends to regain control of Bagram airbase.

Afghan sources cited by the Gazeta said Trump views a symbolic return to Bagram as a key element of his strategy ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

The report added that American envoys have recently been in contact with Taliban leaders as well as Afghanistan politicians in exile. While some Taliban officials have shown flexibility, the group’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has opposed any U.S. return.

The Gazeta also claimed Washington is preparing for potential special operations in Afghanistan, with plans to deploy thousands of U.S. troops alongside former Afghan soldiers currently living abroad.

China’s invitation to Mullah Yaqoob is viewed as an effort to gauge both the military readiness of the Taliban administration and its willingness to resist possible U.S. action.

These developments underscore Afghanistan’s continuing role as a focal point of global power competition—where Beijing is testing the Taliban’s resolve as Washington weighs a symbolic comeback via Bagram.