Donald Trump Wants Bagram Airbase Back from Taliban, Cites Proximity to China as Strategic Concern
London/Washington — During his recent visit to the United Kingdom, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a press conference that he wants the United States to regain control of Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan from the Taliban. Trump emphasized the base’s strategic importance due to its geographical proximity to China, calling it a critical asset for U.S. national security.
Trump revealed that he is exploring negotiations with the Taliban leadership to take back control of the airbase, which was once the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan.
“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 in the world,”
Trump said during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to ANI.
Criticism of Biden’s 2021 Withdrawal
Trump sharply criticized President Joe Biden for the 2021 U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, blaming it for leaving behind critical military assets, including Bagram Airbase and a significant stockpile of weapons and equipment.
“They left all that equipment behind, and every year the Taliban holds a parade with it. Every screw, every bolt, every nail — they should have taken everything,”
Trump said, recounting a moment when he was advised it would be cheaper to abandon equipment than transport it.
He described the withdrawal as a national embarrassment, calling it:
“The most embarrassing moment in the history of our country.”
Bagram’s Strategic Value
Bagram Airbase features a 3,600-meter runway capable of handling heavy cargo planes and bombers, and is considered one of the most vital military airfields globally. Trump stressed that its location near China made it a key outpost for American strategic interests in the region.
He also claimed that China has since taken control of the airfield, although this has been denied by the Taliban.
Background:
Bagram Airbase served as the central hub for U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades. Following the U.S. military’s rapid withdrawal in 2021, the base fell into Taliban hands. Trump’s comments suggest a potential shift in U.S. posture toward regaining influence in the region — a move likely to stir diplomatic debate.
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