Trump Seeks to Reclaim Bagram Air Base

In a stunning reversal of a decades-long military presence, President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is seeking to retake control of Bagram Air Base from the Taliban. The former U.S. military hub, which was a key strategic asset in the region, was surrendered during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump’s declaration marks a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the country and, according to military experts, could resemble a “full re-invasion” that would require more than 10,000 troops and advanced air defenses.
The president first raised the idea in a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling it “a little breaking news” and stating, “We’re trying to get it back, by the way. We want that base back.” While Trump did not provide specific details on how the U.S. would regain control of the base, he hinted at negotiations with the Taliban, stating that “they need things from us.” He also justified the move by citing the base’s strategic value and its proximity to China. “It’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” Trump said, underscoring his administration’s focus on countering America’s top rival.
The Taliban has vehemently rejected the idea of a U.S. return. In a statement to Al Jazeera, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed Trump’s remarks as “emotional” and said that an American takeover of the base was “impossible.” He reiterated that “there is no need for any country’s military presence in Afghanistan at present.” Despite these public statements, there are reports that the U.S. and the Taliban have been engaged in limited dialogue on a range of issues, including hostage exchanges.
Even if the Taliban were to agree to a U.S. return, military experts and former U.S. officials have warned that holding the base would be a “mammoth military operation.” They argue that a U.S. presence in the landlocked country would be vulnerable to threats from both within and outside the country, including missile attacks from Iran. The operation would not only require a massive commitment of troops but also a robust logistical supply chain and advanced air defenses to protect against drone and missile threats. The sheer scale of the operation would have all the optics of a full re-invasion, a scenario that the U.S. spent two decades and trillions of dollars trying to avoid.
The plan has also received criticism from within the U.S. government. An anonymous U.S. official told Reuters that there is currently “no active planning to militarily take over Bagram air base,” as the risks of such an operation “outweigh the advantages.” While the idea of reclaiming a key strategic asset is appealing to many in the U.S., the logistical and financial challenges, combined with the hostile geopolitical climate in the region, make the plan a difficult and highly controversial one.