Trump Eyes Bagram Again
Trump Eyes Bagram Again: he wants to take back a military base in Afghanistan called Bagram Airbase. He warned the Taliban, who now control Afghanistan, that “bad things” could happen if they don’t give the base back. He didn’t clearly say if he will send soldiers, but he didn’t say he won’t either.
This isn’t the first time Trump has made big claims like this. Before, he said the US should take over the Panama Canal and Greenland. Now, he is focused on Bagram, which is about 40 kilometers from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. Trump said he might try to make a deal with the Taliban because “they need things from us.” He also said Bagram is important because it is close to where China makes its nuclear weapons. He thinks China might already be using the base.
No Talks, Taliban Say
Bagram Airbase was built in the 1950s by the Soviet Union. Later, the US used it during the war in Afghanistan. At one time, about 10,000 US soldiers stayed there. The US left the base in 2021 during a rushed and messy withdrawal. This ended a 20-year war but was seen as a big failure for the US military.
The US left because of a peace deal called the Doha Agreement, signed in 2020 when Trump was president. But now Trump blames President Biden for giving up the base.
The Taliban said no to Trump’s plan. They said there are no talks with the US about Bagram. They reminded the US that in the peace deal, America promised not to use force or interfere in Afghanistan’s affairs. The Taliban said their country’s independence is very important.
Rising Regional Tensions
He reacted badly to the rejection. He began using more threatening language. If he tries to use military force to retake the base, he could start a new war in Afghanistan. Such a war would endanger not only the region but also the entire world. It could draw in other countries, including China.
China responded to Trump’s comments by affirming its respect for Afghanistan’s independence. It warned that the region would not support actions that cause tension. Although China has not officially recognized the Taliban government, it maintains good relations with them and has invested in Afghanistan’s mining and infrastructure. China is also working to connect its CPEC project to Afghanistan.
If the US launches a military operation, Russia could also enter the conflict. Russia remains the only country that has officially recognized the Taliban government. Pakistan would also feel the direct impact, as it shares a long border with Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Security Concerns
Pakistan has suffered greatly in past wars in Afghanistan. It is still dealing with the effects today. Another war would be very dangerous for Pakistan. Trump has recently tried to improve relations with Pakistan and has shown interest in investing in mining and security cooperation there. But Trump is unpredictable, and it’s not clear what he expects from Pakistan.
Pakistan also has its own problems with the Taliban. Some terrorist groups are hiding in Afghanistan and attacking Pakistan. The Taliban have not taken action against them. Still, a new war in Afghanistan would make things even worse for Pakistan’s security.
Empty Threats Again
US should learn from what happened last time. Hopefully, Trump’s talk about taking back Bagram is just another empty threat, like his old comments about taking Greenland or the Panama Canal.
Published in Dawn, 24th September 2025
