Trump says he wants Bagram airbase back from Taliban

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration is trying to get the former U.S. Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan back from the Taliban, while he criticized the handling of the U.S. withdrawal and questioned why Washington should cede a base near the country’s key corridors. He spoke during remarks alongside U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and described the development as “a little breaking news,” saying, ‘We’re trying to get it back,’ and that the Taliban or others would have to meet U.S. demands first. He did not specify who, if anyone, would be fulfilling those needs, and he did not elaborate on the conditions that would allow the base to be returned."

The president said the rationale for reclaiming the base is partially rooted in its geographic proximity to rivals and potential security implications, noting that Bagram is “an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” He offered no concrete plan or timeline for how such a reversal would occur, and there was no immediate White House confirmation of the remarks. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about the president’s claims.

The remarks come amid long-running debates about the legacy of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan and the 2020 agreement that set the terms for U.S. withdrawal. The Taliban, who took control of Afghanistan in 2021, have sought normalized diplomatic and economic engagement with Washington after the chaotic exit that year. The withdrawal timeline was shaped by negotiations under the first Trump administration, which set a May 1, 2021, deadline for a full U.S. pullout, a date later extended by President Joe Biden to August 2021 after security assessments and political considerations.

The broader context includes recent reporting that, in March, White House hostage envoy Adam Boehler met in person with Taliban officials in Kabul as part of efforts to secure the release of hostages and to discuss broader bilateral relations. Sources confirmed this was the first direct meeting between a U.S. administration and the Taliban since the 2021 collapse of Kabul, and a Taliban statement described discussions with Boehler and another envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, with the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. The Taliban said the talks covered bilateral relations, issues related to citizens, and potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

A 2024 AP photo set the scene for the ongoing interest in Afghanistan’s future, showing a military parade at the Bagram Air Base in Parwan Province, marking the third anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. The event highlighted the lingering symbolism of Bagram as a touchstone of the American presence in the country. Around the same time, images from the region captured U.S. helicopters and security measures still visible at former U.S. facilities in and around the area, underscoring the enduring footprint of the conflict even after the formal withdrawal.

As the U.S. and its allies navigate a complex regional landscape, Trump’s statement adds another layer to the debate about whether any residual U.S. security architecture on Afghan soil is feasible or desirable, given the Taliban’s ongoing governance and the broader geopolitics surrounding Afghanistan, China, and regional powers. The administration has repeatedly pointed to a need to avoid revisiting the conditions that led to the chaotic 2021 exit, while critics argue that keeping a presence could deter further escalations or humanitarian concerns. The dialogue remains highly sensitive, with the United States balancing strategic interests, human rights concerns, and regional stability as it weighs its options in a volatile security environment.

The discussion also comes as U.S. officials continue to monitor the Taliban’s actions and their behavior toward international norms, including human rights obligations. Observers cautioned against drawing swift conclusions from political rhetoric and stressed that any decision about Bagram or any other facilities would require careful diplomatic and military considerations, detailed assessments of risk, and negotiations with regional partners and international allies. In the meantime, U.S. lawmakers and analysts will likely scrutinize Thursday’s remarks for insight into how future policy might be shaped by Afghanistan’s evolving security and diplomatic landscape.

This report is part of ongoing world coverage of Afghanistan and the broader implications of the U.S. withdrawal for regional security and international diplomacy. Further updates will follow as new information becomes available.