US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to regain control of the former Bagram air base in northeastern Afghanistan. The base was abandoned during the Taliban takeover in 2021. Trump stated that the US should never have given up the base, emphasizing the importance of regaining control. He mentioned that negotiations are underway with the new Afghan government to address the issue.

The Bagram air base was evacuated by American troops in July 2021, a month before the Taliban seized Kabul, marking the end of the 20-year US occupation of the country. The looted base and abandoned military equipment have become symbols of the failed US war in Afghanistan. Despite having negotiated the withdrawal of American troops during his first term, Trump blamed the fall of Kabul on former President Joe Biden, describing the chaotic departure of the last US soldiers as “a disgrace.”

An Afghan Foreign Ministry official, Zakir Jalaly, has responded to Trump’s statement, saying that the people of Afghanistan would reject the return of American troops. Jalaly emphasized the need for economic and political relations between Afghanistan and the US based on mutual respect, without any military presence in the country.

The abandonment of the Bagram air base has been a point of contention, with many viewing it as a strategic mistake. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was marked by chaos and confusion, leading to the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country. The situation has raised questions about the future of US-Afghan relations and the potential for renewed military involvement.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US will proceed in its efforts to regain control of the Bagram air base. The Afghan government’s stance on the matter is clear, but the US may still pursue negotiations to achieve its goals. The outcome of these efforts will have significant implications for the region and the future of US-Afghan relations.