Why Trump Is Trying To Get Back Bagram Airfield In Afghanistan

The airfield, situated approximately one hour north of Kabul, fell into Taliban hands following the US withdrawal.

US President Donald Trump has revealed ongoing negotiations with the Taliban to regain control of Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, stating that abandoning the strategic site was a significant error.

"We should have never given it up," Trump declared during an Oval Office press briefing.

These comments followed Trump's previous day's statement about America's desire to reclaim the base that served as a crucial operations center after the 9/11 attacks.

Trump once again lambasted the Joe Biden administration's 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, characterizing it as a "total disaster".

"We gave it [Bagram Airfield] to them for nothing," he remarked, adding, "We want that base back."

The airfield, located approximately one hour north of Kabul, came under Taliban control following the American departure.

A Vital Stronghold

Bagram Airfield functioned for years as the nucleus of US military operations in Afghanistan. At its zenith in 2012, the extensive compound hosted more than 100,000 American troops, according to NBC News.

With its substantial runways and robust infrastructure, it became the primary center for combat missions, logistics coordination, and intelligence gathering in the campaign against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Trump has emphasized the airfield's strategic importance, not only for military reach but also for monitoring America's rival superpower, China.

"It's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons," he stated, one day before engaging in conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of ongoing trade discussions.

Later, while aboard Air Force One, Trump highlighted Bagram's exceptional runway capabilities and strength, noting its capacity to accommodate even the largest aircraft.

Importance Beyond China

According to CNN, internal deliberations about returning Bagram to US control began as early as March 2025. Sources informed the network that Trump and his senior national security advisers consider the base essential for several reasons.

One primary reason is to maintain surveillance on China, whose border lies less than 500 miles away. Additional motivations include securing access to Afghanistan's rare earth mineral deposits, re-establishing a counterterrorism hub targeting ISIS, and potentially reopening a diplomatic mission.

Trump suggested that Washington possesses negotiating leverage with the Taliban. "We're trying to get it back because (the Taliban) need things from us," he remarked.

Countering Regional Threats

China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal adds urgency to the situation. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a Chicago-based nonprofit, estimates Beijing now possesses approximately 600 nuclear warheads.

For Washington, reclaiming Bagram would not only enhance surveillance of Chinese military activities but also provide a critical launching point for counterterrorism operations throughout South and Central Asia.