President Trump Considers Reestablishing US Presence at Bagram Air Base Amid China Concerns

President Donald Trump has indicated his administration is exploring the reestablishment of a U.S. military presence at Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base. The suggestion emerged during a recent press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where Trump explicitly linked the potential move to the broader strategy of countering China, identified as the United States’ primary economic and military competitor.

Bagram Air Base, a pivotal hub during America’s two-decade military engagement in Afghanistan, was left in Taliban hands following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August 2021. Trump, who had previously negotiated the initial withdrawal terms during his first presidency, expressed a desire to “get it back,” hinting that the Taliban, currently grappling with significant economic and legitimacy challenges, might be receptive to such an arrangement due to their own needs from the international community.

The President underscored the strategic importance of Bagram’s geographical proximity to China, stating, “one of the reasons we want that base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” Although formal diplomatic ties between the U.S. and the Taliban government remain absent, recent interactions have included discussions on hostage releases and potential prisoner exchanges, which could indirectly pave the way for broader negotiations. The White House and Pentagon have yet to comment on any specific planning regarding a return to Bagram.

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