US Eyes Return to Bagram, Stirs Geopolitical Tensions

The United States is actively seeking to regain control of Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, a move that would mark a significant and controversial shift in U.S. foreign policy and its relationship with the Taliban. This development, confirmed by President Donald Trump during a recent press conference in the UK, signals the first public acknowledgment of ongoing negotiations with the Taliban to re-establish an American military presence in the country. Trump’s stated rationale for the move is rooted in Bagram’s strategic location and its proximity to China, which he claims makes it a vital asset for U.S. national security.
Bagram Airfield, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Kabul, was the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan for nearly two decades. Its abrupt abandonment during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in July 2021 was widely criticized as a strategic misstep, leaving a massive facility and valuable military equipment in the hands of the Taliban. The base’s recapture by the Taliban just weeks later became a powerful symbol of the American military’s departure and the swift collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
The potential return to Bagram is seen by some U.S. officials as a way to reassert influence in the region and counter the growing presence of rival powers, particularly China. Trump and his advisors have argued that maintaining a presence at the base would allow the U.S. to monitor Chinese military activity, conduct intelligence operations, and potentially gain access to Afghanistan’s rich mineral resources. The argument is that the base’s value lies not in Afghanistan itself, but in its broader geopolitical significance.
However, the prospect of an American return is not without significant hurdles and controversy. The Taliban has already publicly and unequivocally rejected the idea of a re-established U.S. military presence on Afghan soil. In a statement, a Taliban foreign ministry official reiterated that military presence was rejected during the original Doha talks and that Afghanistan’s future rests in the hands of its people. This firm stance creates a substantial obstacle for any ongoing negotiations. While senior U.S. officials have met with the Taliban to discuss other issues, such as the release of American detainees, the reacquisition of a military base presents a far more complex and politically charged issue.
The talks, which have been underway since at least March according to media reports, have also been met with skepticism from a variety of sources. Critics question how the U.S. could negotiate a military return with a group it does not officially recognize as a legitimate government. Furthermore, the idea of an American military presence being accepted by the Taliban, whose entire reason for fighting for two decades was to expel foreign forces, seems fundamentally contradictory.
The discussions, however, underscore the shifting dynamics in Afghanistan. The Taliban, which has been struggling with an economic crisis and a lack of international recognition, may be looking for leverage in their dealings with the U.S. Trump’s statement that the Taliban “need things from us” hints at a potential quid pro quo, where the U.S. might offer economic aid or diplomatic recognition in exchange for access to the base. Such an arrangement would represent a remarkable and unprecedented level of cooperation between the two former adversaries. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain, but they highlight the ongoing strategic importance of Afghanistan in a complex and evolving global landscape.