By Michelle Ndaga
The Taliban government has firmly rejected any possibility of the United States regaining control of Bagram Air Base, following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump expressing his desire to reclaim the facility for strategic purposes.
Speaking earlier this week, President Trump said the U.S. is “working to get Bagram back,” citing the base’s strategic location near China and its value for future U.S. military operations.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, issued a swift response, stating that while the country is open to political and economic engagement with Washington, it will not allow any foreign troops to operate from its soil. “Afghanistan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. There will be no foreign military presence in our country,” a ministry spokesperson said.
Bagram, located north of Kabul, was the largest U.S. and NATO military hub during the 20-year war in Afghanistan until allied forces withdrew in 2021, paving the way for the Taliban’s return to power.
Since then, the air base has remained under Taliban control.
Analysts say any U.S. attempt to re-establish a military presence in Afghanistan would face major diplomatic and security challenges, with the Taliban unlikely to compromise on the issue.
Regional powers, including China and Russia, are also closely watching the developments, given Bagram’s strategic proximity to their borders.
The standoff highlights ongoing tensions between Washington and Kabul over security and counterterrorism, as well as the broader geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China.
