Donald Trump has publicly declared his administration’s intent to reclaim Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, emphasizing its proximity to China and describing the move as a pivotal step to counter Beijing’s strategic ambitions. This policy shift has reignited debates about U.S. military posture in Central Asia and its implications for global geopolitics, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Trump’s Call to Regain Bagram
Speaking at a recent press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump criticized the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and called the abandonment of Bagram Air Base a “total disaster”. He asserted, “We want that base back,” citing its vital location—just an hour’s flight from China’s nuclear missile facilities in Xinjiang—as a key reason for reopening negotiations to return the site to U.S. hands.
Trump and senior U.S. national security officials believe regaining Bagram is crucial for several reasons:
- Monitoring China, whose border is less than 500 miles from the base.
- Gaining access to Afghanistan’s rare earth minerals sector.
- Establishing a forward counterterrorism hub to monitor regional threats.
- Directly challenging China’s Belt and Road Initiative and military expansion, especially as Beijing reportedly seeks its own foothold at Bagram through infrastructure and economic agreements with the Taliban.
Reports suggest that, while negotiations with the Taliban are ongoing, regaining control could resemble a re-invasion, requiring a significant U.S. military commitment—potentially over 10,000 troops plus advanced air defenses. Neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran view a renewed U.S. presence as a threat, which could increase regional tensions.
Trump’s push to retake Bagram Air Base represents a dramatic shift in U.S. strategy, aiming to counter China’s rising influence in Central Asia by reestablishing a powerful forward-operating hub just outside its borders. The decision stands to remake regional dynamics, prompting responses from major powers and raising stakes in the ongoing contest for influence between Washington and Beijing.
