Trump pushes to reclaim Bagram Airbase from Taliban amid China concerns

In Afghanistan, during a press conference on September 18, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that his administration is making efforts to reclaim the Bagram Airfield, which was under U.S. control for nearly two decades before being handed over to the Taliban during the chaotic withdrawal in 2021. Trump criticized the handling of the withdrawal under the Biden administration, stating that the U.S. is trying to get back the base due to its importance. He emphasized its strategic proximity to China's nuclear facilities as a primary reason for wanting control over it again. Trump has reportedly been advocating for this effort for several months, urging his national security officials to find a way to recover the base. Sources indicate that discussions around reestablishing U.S. presence at Bagram have been ongoing since at least March 2025. The former president believes that regaining control of Bagram is crucial not just for surveilling China, but also for countering threats from groups like ISIS and for exploring Afghanistan’s rare earth mineral resources. He asserted that the Taliban needs certain things from the U.S., possibly suggesting a potential leverage point in negotiations. The Bagram Airfield, which played a vital role in U.S. military operations during the Afghanistan War, had been a hub for air operations across the country before its handover to the Taliban alongside the U.S. troop withdrawal. By declaring the intent to reclaim Bagram, Trump has linked his strategy to countering China’s influence in the region, criticizing the Biden administration's decisions as foolish and detrimental to American interests. This move reflects Trump's ongoing criticism of the current administration's foreign policy, particularly regarding Afghanistan. Additionally, Trump's remarks coincide with reported meetings between U.S. envoys and Taliban officials aimed at exploring opportunities for normalized diplomatic relations. While there have been kidnapping negotiations that opened dialogues, it remains unclear how the Taliban might respond to the U.S.’s attempts to regain control of the airbase. If successful, Trump’s initiative could change the dynamics of U.S. foreign policy engagements in the region and its stance toward addressing issues linked to Russian aggression and China's military capabilities.