Late Thursday, Taliban officials delivered a firm refusal to former President Trump’s recent proposal for the United States to reclaim control of Bagram Air Base, the last military installation America evacuated during its withdrawal from Afghanistan. Despite this rejection, they indicated a willingness to engage in discussions aimed at fostering better relations between the two nations.
Speaking at a news conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mr. Trump revealed that his administration had been actively pursuing efforts to reclaim the Bagram Air Base, a key facility located just outside Kabul. This base was notably relinquished by U.S. forces in 2021, shortly before the Taliban seized power once again in Afghanistan.
Mr. Trump justified his administration’s pursuit, stating, “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.” He underscored Bagram’s strategic value, noting its proximity – “an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons” – highlighting its importance to U.S. interests.
While Mr. Trump has previously voiced his disapproval of the U.S. abandoning the air base, his remarks on Thursday marked the first public confirmation that discussions to re-establish American presence there could be in progress.
The Taliban government swiftly issued its response, signaling an openness to dialogue, but drawing a clear line against any return of U.S. military personnel to Afghan soil.
Zakir Jalaly, an official from the Afghan foreign ministry, publicly stated that “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.” This statement, shared on social media, outlined their terms for engagement.
Mr. Jalaly emphasized the historical context, adding, “Afghans have never accepted the military presence of anyone throughout history.” He clarified, however, that “for other kinds of engagement, all paths remain open.” He also acknowledged Mr. Trump as “a good businessman and negotiator, more than just a politician.”
Not all officials were as measured in their responses. Muhajer Farahi, a deputy minister, shared a poignant excerpt from a poem: “Those who once smashed their heads against the rocks with us, their minds have still not found peace.” He concluded his online post emphatically with “Bagram, Afghanistan.”
Mr. Trump’s comments on Thursday did not detail his precise vision for Bagram. Since the Taliban’s return to power, U.S. public engagement with Afghanistan has been largely limited to sensitive hostage negotiations. Notably, Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s special envoy for hostage response, recently made a rare visit to Kabul to meet with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
When pressed for comment, the State Department directed inquiries about Bagram to the White House, which in turn deferred to the Department of Defense. The Defense Department issued a statement on Thursday, affirming its readiness to “always execute any mission at the president’s direction.”
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghanistan has faced significant international isolation. Its government remains largely unrecognized globally, with only Russia extending formal recognition. The nation’s economy is grappling with challenges, struggling to secure foreign aid and private investment. Furthermore, as the United Nations General Assembly prepares for high-level meetings next week, Afghanistan’s officials will again be absent due to existing U.N. travel restrictions.
Located 25 miles north of Kabul, Bagram Air Base, originally constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, served as the primary U.S. military installation throughout America’s two-decade presence in Afghanistan.
In March, Mr. Trump asserted that the United States should have maintained its presence at Bagram, not primarily for Afghan affairs, but due to its strategic importance relative to China. He highlighted its location, stating it’s “exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles.” At that time, his assertion that Bagram was “now under China’s influence” was refuted by the Taliban.
The American withdrawal from Afghanistan left a substantial legacy: thousands of weapons and military equipment were abandoned, alongside a vast, now-empty embassy compound in central Kabul. Echoes of the U.S. presence persist, with military uniforms and footwear still appearing in Kabul’s bustling bazaars. Visitors arriving from the airport are met with poignant graffiti, proudly declaring, “Our nation defeated America with the help of God.”