Quick Read
- President Trump confirmed ongoing efforts to negotiate the return of Bagram Air Base from the Taliban.
- Bagram’s strategic location near Chinese nuclear facilities is a key motivator for US interest.
- Negotiations are the first direct US engagement with the Taliban since Kabul’s fall in 2021.
- The base remains under Taliban control and is used for military parades and public demonstrations.
- US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has led to increased Chinese and Russian influence in the region.
Bagram Air Base: More Than Just a Symbol
The sprawling expanse of Bagram Air Base, located in Afghanistan’s Parwan province, once served as the beating heart of the American military presence in the region. But in 2021, with the final withdrawal of US troops under President Joe Biden, the base was handed over to the Taliban—a move that has since become a focal point for debate, criticism, and renewed diplomatic maneuvering.
On September 18, 2025, President Donald Trump reignited attention on Bagram during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Standing before reporters, Trump was unequivocal: “We’re trying to get it back,” he announced, referencing secretive negotiations aimed at reacquiring the base from the Taliban. For Trump, Bagram is more than just a lost asset; it’s a strategic linchpin in the shadow of global power shifts.
Strategic Stakes: The China Factor
What makes Bagram so valuable in the eyes of US policymakers? Trump’s remarks cut to the core: “One of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” This proximity places Bagram at the intersection of US interests in countering Chinese military ambitions. The base’s location, nestled near key Chinese nuclear facilities, underscores why its fate is tied not only to Afghan security but also to the broader contest between superpowers.
The loss of Bagram, according to Trump and his allies, has left a strategic vacuum that China and Russia are eager to exploit. In the years since the withdrawal, open-source intelligence has tracked growing Chinese and Russian engagement in Afghanistan, with the Taliban reportedly seeking to normalize ties and attract foreign investment. The geopolitical blackout that followed the Taliban’s rise—marked by international isolation due to human rights abuses—has made the base a bargaining chip in a complex game of leverage.
Behind the Negotiations: Secrecy and Diplomacy
The details of the US effort to reclaim Bagram remain shrouded in secrecy. Trump’s comments suggest ongoing, undisclosed talks between the US administration and Taliban officials. Sources confirm that these negotiations are the first direct engagement since Kabul’s fall, underscoring the sensitive nature of the process.
In March, Fox News Digital reported a landmark meeting: US hostage envoy Adam Boehler held talks with Taliban officials at Kabul International Airport, seeking the release of an American citizen. This encounter—alongside another involving US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad—opened channels for discussion on bilateral relations, investment, and the future of US citizens in Afghanistan. According to Taliban statements, issues of normalization and economic cooperation were on the table, highlighting the shifting priorities in post-withdrawal Afghanistan.
Yet, for all the diplomatic overtures, the Taliban’s grip on Bagram remains firm. The base has become a symbol of victory for the group, showcased in military parades and public displays of captured American equipment. Images of Taliban officials reviewing honor guards at Bagram paint a stark picture of the new reality on the ground.
Legacy of Withdrawal: Political Fallout and Human Impact
The transfer of Bagram is inextricably linked to the broader narrative of the US exit from Afghanistan. The initial decision to withdraw, set in motion by Trump’s administration and formalized in a deal with the Taliban, envisioned a phased reduction of forces by May 2021. Biden’s extension of the deadline to August 2021 coincided with rapid Taliban advances and the eventual collapse of Kabul.
The aftermath has been fraught with consequences. Critics, including Trump, have lambasted the withdrawal as hasty and poorly managed, arguing that it left both strategic assets and vulnerable populations exposed. The Taliban’s takeover not only shifted the balance of power in Afghanistan but also triggered waves of humanitarian need, visible in scenes of Afghan civilians seeking aid under Taliban rule.
Diplomatic isolation has compounded the challenges. The Taliban government, struggling to gain international recognition, faces persistent scrutiny over its human rights record and governance style. Meanwhile, US policymakers grapple with the legacy of lost intelligence capabilities and diminished influence in a region now courted by rival powers.
Unanswered Questions and the Path Forward
As President Trump presses for the return of Bagram, the future of the base—and US-Afghan relations—remains uncertain. The White House has yet to comment publicly on the specifics of Trump’s claims or the nature of ongoing negotiations. For now, Bagram stands as a potent symbol: a reminder of past ambitions, present dilemmas, and the unfinished business of foreign policy.
The base’s fate will likely hinge on a complex interplay of security concerns, diplomatic overtures, and the evolving interests of regional actors. Whether the US can reclaim its lost foothold—or find new ways to exert influence in Afghanistan—will shape the contours of global power for years to come.
Trump’s push to regain Bagram Air Base is more than a bid to reverse a controversial chapter in US history. It signals a recalibration of strategy, driven by shifting threats and the enduring competition with China. As negotiations unfold behind closed doors, the outcome will reveal not only the limits of American diplomacy but also the resilience of the region’s new order.