Why Trump Wants Afghanistan’s Bagram Airbase Back

 

F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes off at Bagram Air Field,

 

President Donald Trump has reignited debate over Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase, demanding that the Taliban hand control back to the United States. Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on September 18, Trump said Washington is “trying to get [Bagram] back,” later warning on Truth Social that “BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN” if the Taliban refuses.

 

The Taliban swiftly rejected the demand, citing the 2020 Doha Agreement signed under Trump, which pledged that the U.S. would not interfere in Afghanistan’s sovereignty.

 

Bagram, Afghanistan’s largest airbase, was originally built by the Soviet Union and later served as the centerpiece of America’s war on terror. Its strategic value lies in its rare ability to accommodate large military aircraft in Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain, as well as its proximity to China—about 800 km from its border and 1,500 km from a missile factory in Xinjiang. Analysts say Trump sees the base as a key asset in countering Beijing’s influence.

 

Experts argue that reclaiming Bagram is unlikely. The Taliban has no incentive to allow a foreign military footprint, as doing so would undermine its legitimacy. “Any negotiations with a foreign military would shatter their strength,” said Ibraheem Bahiss of Crisis Group.

 

Some observers suggest Trump’s demand may be a bargaining tactic aimed at recovering U.S. weapons and equipment abandoned in the 2021 withdrawal, worth an estimated $7 billion. For the Taliban, even limited talks with Washington could bolster its quest for international legitimacy.

 

While Bagram remains a potent symbol of U.S. military power, analysts caution that any attempt to retake it would contradict America’s stated policy of ending its mission in Afghanistan—and would be logistically challenging at best.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Trump demands Taliban return Bagram airbase, calling it vital for U.S. security.
• Experts say reclaiming the base is highly unlikely given Taliban resistance.
• The push may be a bargaining tactic tied to weapons recovery or China strategy.

 

Source: Al Jazeera

 

 

Or a bargaining tactic to get Afghanistan's lithium, or just Trump's usual B.S. 🙂

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

While Bagram remains a potent symbol of U.S. military power, analysts caution that any attempt to retake it would contradict America’s stated policy of ending its mission in Afghanistan—and would be logistically challenging at best.

 

Be more sense for the Chinese to take it over, there the only "Superpower" that have not had a go at the Afghans yet.

POTUS needs his bumps feeling if he thinks the Afghans are going for any of this.

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Some observers suggest Trump’s demand may be a bargaining tactic aimed at recovering U.S. weapons and equipment abandoned in the 2021 withdrawal, worth an estimated $7 billion. For the Taliban, even limited talks with Washington could bolster its quest for international legitimacy.

Any kit left, after 4 years of Terry Taliban poking it with sticks to see what happens, will be utterly buggered!

He wants it back for it's strategic value. Simple as that. Should never had been handed over to the Taliban.

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

He wants it back for it's strategic value. Simple as that. Should never had been handed over to the Taliban.

 

It was Trump 1 who signed the deal with the Taliban

10 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

It was Trump 1 who signed the deal with the Taliban

Was the base part of that?

7 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Was the base part of that?

 

As a hardcore Trump supporter, I'm sure you have all the details.

Take note, your claims have to be supported by a link to a credible source

Art of the deal.

 

Trump will get something out of it.

 

As always. 

 

Master negotiator.

A post with an unsupported claim has been removed, please provide a valid link to the source of information when posting. 

On 9/29/2025 at 7:49 PM, dinsdale said:

He wants it back for it's strategic value. Simple as that. Should never had been handed over to the Taliban.

555! He has 'strategy'. I mean, besides world subjugation & domination? Ah, wish those letters formed SM.

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

555! He has 'strategy'. I mean, besides world subjugation & domination? Ah, wish those letters formed SM.

World subjegation and domination? Economicly and militarily you are correct. 

On 9/29/2025 at 8:28 PM, Cameroni said:

Art of the deal.

 

Trump will get something out of it.

 

As always. 

 

Master negotiator.

Only in his own so called mind!

On 9/29/2025 at 8:28 PM, Cameroni said:

Art of the deal.

 

Trump will get something out of it.

 

As always. 

 

Master negotiator.

This is the guy who negotiated himself several times into bankruptcy by overpaying for assets. He also destroyed the hugely successful real estate business he inherited from his father. So much so that local banks refused to lend to him.