Trump Says U.S. Seeking to Reclaim Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan
Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration is working to regain control of Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, a facility once central to America’s two-decade war effort. Speaking at a press event, Trump described Bagram as strategically vital, noting that it lies “about an hour away from where China builds its nuclear…
Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration is working to regain control of Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, a facility once central to America’s two-decade war effort.
Speaking at a press event, Trump described Bagram as strategically vital, noting that it lies “about an hour away from where China builds its nuclear weapons.” The remark drew attention internationally, though defense analysts stressed that the statement requires further verification, as official U.S. military and intelligence sources have not confirmed such specifics.
Bagram Airbase, located north of Kabul, was abandoned by U.S. forces in 2021 during the final withdrawal from Afghanistan. It has since been under Taliban control. Trump, a frequent critic of the withdrawal, argued that retaining Bagram would have provided Washington with a stronger foothold in the region.
Security experts say reclaiming the base could involve direct negotiations with the Taliban or broader regional strategies, though no concrete plan has been announced. The proposal, if pursued, is likely to face geopolitical pushback from neighboring countries and renewed scrutiny over U.S. policy in Afghanistan.
