In a significant development late Thursday, Taliban officials delivered a clear refusal to former President Trump’s recent proposal that the United States might re-establish its presence at Bagram Air Base. This key facility was the last U.S. military stronghold abandoned during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. Despite their firm stance against a military return, the Taliban leadership indicated a potential willingness to engage in discussions aimed at fostering improved political and economic relations between Afghanistan and the United States.
The controversy began during a joint news conference on Thursday, where Mr. Trump, alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, revealed that his administration had been actively exploring avenues to reclaim Bagram Air Base. Located just outside Kabul, Bagram was a critical military installation that U.S. forces vacated in 2021, a move that preceded the Taliban’s rapid return to power in Afghanistan.
Justifying his administration’s efforts, Mr. Trump stated, “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.” He underscored Bagram’s strategic value, pointing out its proximity to China. ‘It’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,’ he asserted, highlighting a geopolitical angle to the potential reoccupation.
While Mr. Trump has previously voiced regret over the U.S. departure from the air base, his remarks on Thursday marked the first public confirmation that discussions regarding its potential recapture could be in progress.
The Taliban government swiftly issued its counter-response. Their message was clear: they welcome dialogue, but a return of American military personnel is not on the table.
Zakir Jalaly, an official with the Afghan foreign ministry, conveyed the Taliban’s position through social media. He stated, “Without the U.S. having any military presence in Afghanistan, both Afghanistan and the U.S. need to engage with each other, and they can have political and economic relations based on mutual respect and shared interests.”
Mr. Jalaly further emphasized that ‘Afghans have never accepted the military presence of anyone throughout history.’ He reiterated that for all other forms of engagement, ‘all paths remain open.’ Intriguingly, he characterized Mr. Trump as ‘a good businessman and negotiator, more than just a politician,’ suggesting a pragmatic approach to future dealings.
However, not all Taliban officials shared Mr. Jalaly’s diplomatic tone. Muhajer Farahi, a deputy minister, chose to express his sentiment more forcefully on social media, quoting a poignant line from a poem: ‘Those who once smashed their heads against the rocks with us, their minds have still not found peace.’ He concluded his post with a simple, defiant declaration: ‘Bagram, Afghanistan.’
During his Thursday comments, Mr. Trump remained vague about his exact vision for Bagram’s future. Since the Taliban’s ascension to power in August 2021, the United States has maintained only limited public contact with Afghanistan, primarily focusing on hostage negotiations. Notably, last week saw a rare diplomatic interaction when Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s special envoy for hostage response, held discussions with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.
In response to inquiries about Bagram, the State Department directed questions to the White House, which in turn passed them to the Department of Defense. The Pentagon’s statement on Thursday affirmed its readiness: ‘We are always ready to execute any mission at the president’s direction.’
Since the Taliban’s seizure of power in August 2021, Afghanistan has largely remained an isolated nation on the world stage. Only Russia has formally recognized the Taliban government. The country’s economy faces immense challenges, struggling significantly to attract crucial foreign aid and private investments. Compounding this isolation, Afghanistan will again be absent from the upcoming high-level meetings at the United Nations General Assembly, as its officials remain subject to a U.N. travel ban.
Historically, Bagram holds significant military importance. Situated 25 miles north of Kabul, the base was originally constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. For two decades, it served as the largest and most critical U.S. military installation throughout America’s occupation of Afghanistan.
In a previous statement in March, Mr. Trump had argued that the U.S. should have maintained its presence at Bagram, citing China as the primary reason. He claimed the base was strategically vital because ‘it’s exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles,’ and further alleged that Bagram was ‘now under China’s influence’ — a claim promptly refuted by the Taliban.
The American withdrawal from Afghanistan left behind a significant legacy: thousands of weapons and military equipment, alongside a vast, now-empty embassy compound in central Kabul. Echoes of the past conflict remain visible, with U.S. military uniforms and footwear still appearing in Kabul’s bustling bazaars. International visitors arriving from the airport are greeted by poignant graffiti, boldly declaring: ‘Our nation defeated America with the help of God.’