Trump threatens Afghanistan over Bagram Air Base, demands its return

Trump threatens Afghanistan over Bagram Air Base, demands its return

Over the weekend, Donald Trump publicly demanded Afghanistan hand over Bagram Air Base “immediately.” He did not mince words, warning that “bad things” would happen if the Taliban didn’t comply. He has not spelled out what those “bad things” might be, which leaves a lot of room for speculation.

Bagram is no ordinary airfield. It was the main hub for US operations during the war in Afghanistan, with a runway big enough for bombers and heavy cargo planes. The base sits north of Kabul, not far from China, which Trump has pointed to as a reason it’s strategically important again. He has suggested the US needs it back because of concerns about Chinese military and nuclear facilities in the region.

The Taliban’s response has been blunt: absolutely not. They have called it a matter of sovereignty and pointed back to the 2020 Doha Agreement, which included US commitments not to threaten Afghanistan’s independence or territory. Taliban spokesmen have said in different ways that “not an inch” of Afghan soil is up for negotiation.

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Afghanistan’s foreign ministry also weighed in, urging the U.S. to stick to political and diplomatic engagement instead of military pressure. From their side, reopening the door to an American military presence looks like a nonstarter.

So far, Trump has not detailed whether he is considering military action, sanctions, or some other kind of pressure. He just repeated that the US is “talking” to Afghanistan and expects results quickly. That ambiguity is part of what makes this moment so tense.

What makes this all more complicated is the wider backdrop. The Taliban government still struggles with economic isolation and limited international recognition. China and other regional powers are quietly testing how much influence they can exert in Afghanistan. The U.S. is trying to reassert itself after the chaotic withdrawal in 2021, but any move to forcibly retake Bagram would almost certainly ignite a bigger crisis.

For now, it looks like a standoff. The Taliban are adamant they won’t hand over the base, and Trump hasn’t shown his hand on what he will do if they refuse. Whether this turns into an ugly confrontation or fizzles into tough talk depends on what steps Washington is actually willing to take.

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