Trump Claims U.S. Aiming to Reclaim Bagram Airfield from Taliban
President Donald Trump asserted on Thursday that his administration is attempting to recover the former U.S. Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan from the Taliban, calling the Biden administration’s handling of the 2021 withdrawal into question. During remarks alongside U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump emphasized the need to get the base ‘back,’ noting that the Taliban requires things from the United States. He also hinted at geopolitical stakes, citing the base’s proximity to China’s nuclear weapons production. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s inquiries regarding the remarks. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which began under the Trump administration in 2020, culminated in the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, raising international concerns over the region’s stability and security.
The Bagram Airfield, located near Kabul, served as a major military base for U.S. operations during the Afghan War. Its strategic location, including its proximity to the Kandahar International Airport and the Afghan-Pakistan border, made it a key hub for intelligence gathering and military logistics. Trump’s comments on the base’s potential return have sparked discussions about the implications for U.S. influence in the region and regional security dynamics. However, the specifics of the U.S. strategy, if any, remain unclear. Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s decision to delay the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which initially planned for May 1, 2021, to August 2021, has been widely scrutinized for its impact on the security situation and the broader U.S. military strategy in the region.
In March, Fox News Digital reported that White House hostage envoy Adam Boehler met in person with Taliban officials at the Kabul International Airport as he worked to secure the release of George Glezmann. This was the first direct meeting between a U.S. administration and the Taliban government since the collapse of Kabul in 2021. The meeting was reportedly aimed at normalizing relations and exploring investment opportunities in Afghanistan, according to a Taliban statement. However, the effectiveness of such talks in addressing long-standing geopolitical tensions and security concerns remains a topic of debate.
A report by AP indicated that the Taliban’s potential interest in restoring diplomatic ties with the U.S. could be linked to the group’s struggle to maintain international engagement amid accusations of human rights abuses. The Taliban’s ability to engage with the U.S. and other nations may be influenced by the region’s geopolitical landscape, including shifting alliances and economic interests. As the U.S. continues to assess its strategic interests in Afghanistan, the role of the former military base remains a focal point for discussions on regional stability and security.