US President Donald Trump has issued a threat of unspecified reprisals against the Taliban if they do not hand over the Bagram Air Base, a key military installation previously occupied by American forces.
The airfield, which was abandoned during the US withdrawal in 2021, is described by Trump as being close to China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban has rejected the demand, while China has criticized the US for stoking regional tensions.
The Bagram Air Base, originally built by the Soviet Union and modernized during the US occupation, served as America’s largest outpost in Afghanistan. Trump’s claims about China using the base have been denied by both Beijing and the Taliban. While Trump negotiated the US withdrawal during his first term, he has blamed the rapid Taliban takeover on former President Joe Biden, calling the chaotic departure of the last American soldiers a disgrace.
In an earlier statement, Trump emphasized the importance of reestablishing American control over the airfield. He stated that if the Taliban does not return the base, ‘BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN,’ as per his message on his Truth Social platform. The Taliban, however, has ruled out the return of American forces, maintaining their stance on maintaining sovereignty over Afghanistan.
China has publicly supported Afghanistan’s sovereignty and accused Washington of ‘stirring up tension and confrontation in the region.’ This has added diplomatic complexity to the situation, as both the Taliban and China oppose further US military involvement in the country. The incident has highlighted the growing geopolitical tensions in the region, with the US seeking to assert its influence while the Taliban and China emphasize non-intervention and regional stability.
Further diplomatic discussions may be necessary to de-escalate the situation, but for now, the threat from Trump has raised concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in Afghanistan. The outcome of this standoff could have significant implications for regional security and international relations.