U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his demands on Saturday for the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan to return control of Bagram Airbase to the United States. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!! President DJT.”
The statement follows a series of remarks by Trump earlier in the week in which he insisted that Washington should regain control of the base, originally built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s but later expanded and heavily utilized by U.S. forces during the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan. Speaking Thursday and Friday, Trump hinted that discussions were underway with Kabul, though Afghan officials have consistently denied such negotiations.
Reports from American media on Friday indicated that Washington had floated the idea of deploying a limited contingent of U.S. forces to Bagram for joint counterterrorism operations. However, Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalaly quickly rejected the idea, stating unequivocally that U.S. reoccupation of Bagram was “completely rejected.” While Kabul has not issued a more formal denial, officials have repeatedly pushed back against American demands over the past eight months of Trump’s presidency.
China also weighed in on Saturday, sharply criticizing Washington’s efforts. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized Beijing’s support for Afghan sovereignty, saying, “China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Afghanistan’s future should rest in the hands of the Afghan people.” He further warned against stoking regional tensions, declaring, “Stirring up tension and confrontation in the region will not be supported.”
Trump’s repeated focus on Bagram has puzzled observers. During his 2016 campaign, he promised to end America’s involvement in Afghanistan, yet since returning to office, he has suggested the base’s strategic value lies in its proximity to China, claiming it is “an hour away” from Chinese nuclear facilities.
Analysts argue Trump’s push may have less to do with Afghanistan itself and more to do with the broader U.S.-China rivalry. A Reuters report on Thursday, citing American officials, estimated that securing the base would require as many as 10,000 U.S. troops along with extensive air defense systems and other assets, as the site would likely be under constant attack if reoccupied.