(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Trump Wants US Back in Control of Key Afghanistan Air Base
In a recent chat with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump opened up about his push to reclaim Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. The massive base, once a hub for US forces, now sits under Taliban control after American troops pulled out in 2021.
Trump didn’t hold back during their joint news conference in London. "We were going to leave Afghanistan, but we were going to leave it with strength and dignity, and we were going to keep Bagram—the big air base, one of the biggest in the world," he said. He added, "We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way."
Why the big deal over Bagram? Trump highlighted its prime spot near the Afghanistan-China border, making it a strategic gem for military ops. He’s long argued that holding onto it would have been a smart move, especially since it’s just an hour’s flight from where China develops its nuclear weapons. The base boasts some of the toughest runways around—thick concrete that can handle any plane landing.
Trump slammed the 2021 withdrawal as America’s most humiliating moment ever. "We had Afghanistan, which I think was the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country," he said. He even ripped into the decision to leave behind billions in military gear, like planes and equipment worth $150 million each. "They left all that equipment behind, and every year they have a parade down the street with it," Trump fumed, mocking advice from military leaders who thought ditching it was cheaper than flying it out.
Looking back, Trump claimed he was close to a better exit deal. "I was the one that got him down," he said, insisting he would’ve secured Bagram and avoided the mess. Now, with the Taliban in charge and whispers of Chinese influence growing, Trump’s renewed call to "get it back" has sparked fresh talk about US strategy in Afghanistan.
This comes amid ongoing debates on the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, which saw the Taliban swiftly take over key sites like Bagram Air Base. Stay tuned as tensions simmer in the region.
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