In a provocative post on his Truth Social platform, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Afghanistan of severe consequences if the Taliban-led government does not return Bagram Airbase to American control.
“If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!” the 79-year-old leader declared on September 18, 2025.
The ambiguous threat follows Trump’s recent comments during a state visit to the United Kingdom, where he first hinted at efforts to reclaim the sprawling military facility.
Speaking at a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump described Bagram as a strategic asset, noting its proximity to China.
“We’re trying to get it back, by the way, that could be a little breaking news. We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us,” he said, alluding to ongoing negotiations with the Taliban.
Strategic Importance of Bagram Airbase
Afghanistan’s largest military installation served as the linchpin of U.S.-led operations for two decades following the 2001 invasion to topple the Taliban after the September 11 attacks.
Its strategic location, close to Chinese nuclear weapons facilities, has been a focal point for Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the 2021 U.S. withdrawal under President Joe Biden as a strategic blunder.
The chaotic pullout, part of a Trump-brokered peace deal with the Taliban in 2020, saw U.S. and NATO forces abandon Bagram in July 2021 as the Taliban swiftly regained control of the country.
On September 20, 2025, when pressed by White House reporters about the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to retake the base, Trump remained evasive but resolute.
“We won’t talk about that, but we’re talking now to Afghanistan, and we want it back and we want it back soon, right away. And if they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m going to do,” he stated, heightening speculation about potential military or diplomatic pressure.
Bagram’s history is fraught with controversy. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have long documented allegations of systematic abuses by U.S. forces at the base, particularly against detainees during the “War on Terror.”
These reports have fueled international scrutiny, complicating the narrative around any U.S. effort to reclaim the facility.
China’s Growing Influence in Afghanistan
The U.S. withdrawal created a power vacuum that China has moved to fill.
Since 2023, Beijing has deepened its engagement with the Taliban government through significant economic and diplomatic initiatives, despite not formally recognizing the regime. Key developments include:
- Economic Investments: A 25-year oil extraction deal worth $150 million in its first year, potentially scaling to $540 million over three years, and expanding investments in Afghanistan’s lithium-rich mining sector.
- Infrastructure Projects: Integration of Afghanistan into China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a focus on regional connectivity.
- Diplomatic Milestones: In January 2024, China became the first country to accredit a Taliban-appointed ambassador, signaling a pragmatic approach to relations.
- Security Concerns: Beijing seeks Taliban cooperation to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists, particularly Uyghur separatists, who could threaten China’s domestic stability or BRI projects.
For the Taliban, China’s engagement offers a critical lifeline amid international sanctions, economic collapse, and widespread humanitarian crises, with 23.7 million Afghans facing food insecurity.
These ties bolster the Taliban’s position while reshaping regional dynamics, a development Trump has repeatedly criticized as evidence of China’s growing influence near strategic U.S. interests.
Trump’s fixation on Bagram underscores broader U.S. concerns about losing strategic leverage in Central Asia. His threats risk escalating tensions with the Taliban, who have shown no indication of ceding control of the base.
Meanwhile, China’s expanding footprint in Afghanistan complicates U.S. efforts to reassert influence, raising questions about whether Trump’s rhetoric signals a genuine push for military action or a negotiating tactic to extract concessions.
Earlier, a Taliban official dismissed the idea that the US could retake a key airbase in Afghanistan after Donald Trump told reporters he wanted it back.
Zakir Jalal, who works in the Taliban’s foreign ministry, said the idea of the US maintaining any military presence in Afghanistan was “completely” rejected during talks between the two sides before the Taliban returned to power.
- By ET Desk
- With Inputs from AFP
