Trump Signals Interest in Regaining Control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan

President Donald Trump indicated Thursday that he is exploring the possibility of restoring a US presence at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, four years after American forces withdrew and the site fell to Taliban control.

The Details: Speaking at a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Trump said, “We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way…we’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.” Trump linked the idea to broader US strategic interests, including countering China, and said the base is “an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”

For Context: In August 2021, the Biden administration withdrew from the US military from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year presence in the country. Bagram Air Base, a key US hub, was abandoned and quickly fell to the Taliban. During the evacuation, a suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport killed 13 US troops and dozens of Afghan civilians. Biden said he stood “squarely behind” his decision, and that he wouldn’t “mislead the American people by claiming that just a little more time in Afghanistan will make all the difference.”

How the Media Covered It: The New Republic (Left bias) highlighted Trump’s 2024 campaign focus on minimizing US involvement in foreign entanglements, and his unverified claims about Bagram Air Base’s proximity to Chinese weapons. The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) noted logistical uncertainties around getting the base back, and said the US military, under Trump, has been “shifting its priorities away from the Middle East and toward homeland security and threats in the Pacific.” The Hill (Center) highlighted Trump’s calls to withdraw from Afghanistan during his first term, and noted his criticism of the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal, including critiques from other political leaders.

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.