President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration is seeking to regain control of Afghanistan's Bagram airbase. Trump cited its proximity to China's nuclear weapon centers as the primary reason. Bagram, located about 44 kilometers north of Kabul, was the largest American military base during the Afghanistan War.
American and NATO troops withdrew from here in 2021 when then-President Joe Biden decided to end the war. In a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump called the Biden administration's decision to leave Bagram 'a tremendous mistake.' He added, 'We’re trying to reclaim it. It’s a little breaking news.'
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Trump further stated, 'We want it back because the Afghan government needs us, but mostly because it's just an hour from the region in China where nuclear weapons are developed.'
Current and former U.S. officials suggest that Trump's intention to retake Bagram airbase in Afghanistan might appear as a precursor to re-engaging militarily in the country. Such a move would require deploying over 10,000 troops along with advanced defense systems.
Bagram Under Taliban Control
Since the U.S. withdrawal, the base has been under the control of Afghanistan's Taliban-led Ministry of Defense. Trump has repeatedly claimed that China is utilizing it, though these assertions have been dismissed by Afghan officials. In March, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid advised against making emotional statements without evidence.
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President Trump did not specify whether talks with the Taliban are ongoing, but he repeatedly emphasized the base's proximity to China, blaming its current situation on Biden.
America's Withdrawal from Afghanistan
The sudden U.S. withdrawal in August 2021 shocked the world. Billions worth of weapons and equipment fell into Taliban hands, compelling the U.S. to complete evacuation efforts with Taliban assistance following Kabul's rapid collapse.
Republican leaders continually label this decision as Biden's 'failure.' Nonetheless, Secretary of State Antony Blinken described it at the time as 'the largest non-combatant evacuation in American history.'
