Restoring Bagram: Trump Reopens the Afghan File with New Geopolitical Dimensions
September 21, 2025100 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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In a surprising development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This statement represents a qualitative shift in the U.S. position on Afghanistan, following four years of chaotic withdrawal that ended a military presence lasting two decades.
Trump justified the initiative by the need to confront regional security challenges, specifically pointing to the relative proximity of the base to Chinese nuclear areas, although the actual distance exceeds 2000 kilometers. This justification highlights a strategic shift in American thinking, as confrontation with China has become a focal point of U.S. security policies.
Bagram Air Base, built by the Soviets in the 1950s, became the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan during the long military presence. Regaining it would mark a turning point in U.S. policy towards Afghanistan and the Central Asian region in general.
However, returning to Bagram is not an easy task. The Taliban, which has controlled Afghanistan since August 2021, denied any intention to allow the return of U.S. forces. A spokesperson for the Taliban's Foreign Ministry stated that "the Afghan people have never accepted the presence of foreign troops on their land," while expressing openness to political and economic relations.
The American statements came at a time when Pentagon reports indicate China's expansion of its nuclear arsenal, reaching 600 warheads by mid-2024. This expansion raises concerns in Washington and drives it to strengthen its presence in strategic areas close to China.
The Afghan file seems to have returned to the American forefront with new dimensions, as the issue is no longer just counterterrorism, but has become part of a broader strategy to confront the rising Chinese influence. However, this step will depend on Washington's ability to reach an understanding with the Taliban, which rejects any foreign military presence but may accept other forms of cooperation.
The attempt to restore Bagram remains an indicator of a fundamental shift in U.S. strategy, from withdrawal from "endless wars" to redeployment to confront new geopolitical competitors. But the path to achieving this goal is fraught with challenges, the most significant being the Taliban's rejection of foreign military presence and the political and security complexities in Afghanistan and its surroundings.
Trump justified the initiative by the need to confront regional security challenges, specifically pointing to the relative proximity of the base to Chinese nuclear areas, although the actual distance exceeds 2000 kilometers. This justification highlights a strategic shift in American thinking, as confrontation with China has become a focal point of U.S. security policies.
Bagram Air Base, built by the Soviets in the 1950s, became the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan during the long military presence. Regaining it would mark a turning point in U.S. policy towards Afghanistan and the Central Asian region in general.
However, returning to Bagram is not an easy task. The Taliban, which has controlled Afghanistan since August 2021, denied any intention to allow the return of U.S. forces. A spokesperson for the Taliban's Foreign Ministry stated that "the Afghan people have never accepted the presence of foreign troops on their land," while expressing openness to political and economic relations.
The American statements came at a time when Pentagon reports indicate China's expansion of its nuclear arsenal, reaching 600 warheads by mid-2024. This expansion raises concerns in Washington and drives it to strengthen its presence in strategic areas close to China.
The Afghan file seems to have returned to the American forefront with new dimensions, as the issue is no longer just counterterrorism, but has become part of a broader strategy to confront the rising Chinese influence. However, this step will depend on Washington's ability to reach an understanding with the Taliban, which rejects any foreign military presence but may accept other forms of cooperation.
The attempt to restore Bagram remains an indicator of a fundamental shift in U.S. strategy, from withdrawal from "endless wars" to redeployment to confront new geopolitical competitors. But the path to achieving this goal is fraught with challenges, the most significant being the Taliban's rejection of foreign military presence and the political and security complexities in Afghanistan and its surroundings.
