Afghanistan Rejects US Return
Washington/Kabul: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Afghanistan, demanding the return of the strategic Bagram Airbase that American forces abandoned during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal.
In a fiery post on Truth Social late Saturday, Trump declared: “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!”
Trump’s Push for Bagram
The President’s ultimatum follows his remarks on Friday, where he confirmed the U.S. was in talks with Afghan authorities about regaining control of the base. Trump underscored Bagram’s proximity to China, calling it a critical outpost the U.S. “never should have given up.”
When asked whether U.S. troops might be redeployed, Trump stayed evasive: “We want it back … right away. If they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m going to do.”
Kabul Pushes Back
Afghan officials have flatly rejected the idea of a revived American presence. Zakir Jalal, a senior Foreign Ministry official, posted on X that Kabul seeks political and economic engagement with Washington but “will not allow any U.S. military base in Afghanistan.”
The Taliban, too, have dismissed Trump’s claims that China controls the facility, calling such assertions “emotional and unsubstantiated.”
Why Bagram Matters
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Strategic Location: Just north of Kabul, the base lies near key regional borders with Pakistan and China.
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Symbolic Weight: It was America’s largest hub during the two-decade war in Afghanistan, with runways for heavy aircraft, vast logistics support, and even American fast-food outlets.
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Political Flashpoint: Trump frequently blames former President Joe Biden’s administration for abandoning the base “in a disastrous way.”
High Stakes and Rising Tensions
The ultimatum risks inflaming U.S.–Afghan relations and could sharpen friction with China, which has urged respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Analysts caution that any attempt to forcibly reoccupy Bagram would require a major military campaign and could destabilize the region further.
For now, the standoff underscores Trump’s hardline approach: reclaiming what he views as a lost strategic asset — even as Kabul insists foreign boots will not return to Afghan soil.
