Trump Seeks to Reestablish U.S. Presence at Bagram Air Base

U.S. President Donald Trump declared on September 18, 2025, that his administration is actively seeking to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, a move he described as critical for U.S. strategic interests in the region. Trump made the announcement during a joint press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, emphasizing the base's proximity to China and its importance for countering regional threats.

Strategic Rationale and Geopolitical Context

Trump argued that Bagram's location—approximately an hour from where China is believed to develop nuclear weapons—makes it a vital asset for U.S. power projection and intelligence gathering. He criticized the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, blaming his predecessor for abandoning the base and thereby ceding leverage in Central Asia. Trump stated, "We're trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons." According to Trump, the move is less about Afghanistan itself and more about maintaining a strategic foothold near China, Iran, and Russia.

Negotiations and Regional Response

Reports indicate that the U.S. is in discussions with the Taliban, who currently control Bagram, to negotiate a possible return of American forces to the facility. However, the Taliban has publicly rejected Trump's call, stating that the United States will not be allowed to reestablish a military presence in Afghanistan. Afghan officials have also dismissed the proposal, underscoring the significant diplomatic and legal obstacles facing any such plan. The base, located about 40 kilometers north of Kabul, was once the largest U.S. military installation in the country and played a central role in operations throughout the region.

Domestic and International Reactions

Trump's announcement has sparked debate in the United States and abroad. Supporters argue that regaining Bagram would restore lost U.S. leverage and enhance security in a volatile region. Critics, however, warn that the plan is unrealistic given the Taliban's firm control and could risk re-entangling the U.S. in Afghanistan's ongoing instability. Some analysts suggest the proposal may be more political theater than actionable strategy, especially as Trump prepares for a high-stakes call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Historical and Operational Significance

Bagram Air Base, built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and later expanded by the U.S. after 2001, has long been regarded as one of the most strategically valuable military sites in Central and South Asia. The facility includes extensive runways, hangars, a hospital, and detention facilities, and has served as a hub for U.S. and NATO operations. Its loss in 2021 was widely seen as a symbolic and practical setback for U.S. influence in the region.

As of now, no formal agreement has been reached, and the prospect of reestablishing a U.S. presence at Bagram remains uncertain amid complex regional dynamics and strong opposition from the Taliban.