Former President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to hand back the key Bagram Air Base to the United States. In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that if Afghanistan doesn’t return the base—built by the US—”BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!”
The sprawling Bagram Air Base, once a major hub for US forces, fell under Taliban control after American troops pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021. Trump has long argued that keeping the base was a smart move, especially because of its prime location near the Afghanistan-China border, making it a hotspot for strategic interests in the region.
Just days ago, while visiting London, Trump doubled down on his stance during a joint news conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “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 air bases in the world,” Trump said. He added, “We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way.”
Trump’s push has gained traction at home. Several US Congress members have voiced support, calling his effort to reclaim Bagram Air Base a “strategic and correct” step amid ongoing tensions with the Taliban and regional powers like China.
China quickly pushed back against Trump’s comments. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. “The future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of its people,” he noted, urging all sides to focus on building regional peace and stability instead of stirring up confrontation.
The Taliban hasn’t issued an official reply yet, but Afghan officials have been clear about their red lines. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi recently stated, “Not even an inch of Afghan soil is acceptable for foreign military presence. This message must reach President Trump and other countries. Engagement will only be political and economic.”
Zakir Jalaly, head of the Foreign Ministry’s second political department, reinforced that view: “Afghans have never accepted military presence throughout history. This was completely rejected in the Doha Agreement, but the door to other forms of engagement remains open.”
This latest clash comes as Russia has issued repeated warnings in recent months about Western moves—especially from the US—to re-establish a military footprint in Afghanistan, heightening concerns over global security and the fragile peace in South Asia.
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