U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Afghanistan, declaring that if the country does not return control of the Bagram Air Base to the United States, it could face “something very bad.” Trump made the remarks in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday.
“Bagram Air Base was built by the United States. If it is not returned, terrible things are going to happen in Afghanistan,” Trump wrote, signaling a possible escalation of tensions with the Taliban-led government.
According to Reuters, Trump even hinted at the possibility of sending U.S. troops back to Afghanistan to retake the facility. He claimed that since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Bagram had been a vital hub for American forces, and Washington has been seeking ways to restore its presence there. Speaking to reporters a day earlier, Trump confirmed that discussions with Afghan representatives were already underway on the matter.
The issue is highly sensitive. When U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban swiftly took control of Kabul and seized all former American military installations, including Bagram. Afghan officials have since opposed any renewed U.S. military presence, insisting that the sovereignty of the country must be respected.
Security experts and former U.S. defense officials have also cautioned that retaking Bagram would effectively mean launching a new war in Afghanistan. They estimate that such an operation would require the deployment of at least 10,000 troops along with advanced air defense systems—something Washington may be reluctant to commit to after two decades of costly conflict.
Trump’s interest in securing strategically significant locations is not new. In the past, he has expressed ambitions ranging from controlling the Panama Canal to purchasing Greenland. His demand for the return of Bagram, however, is more direct. “We want it back, and we want it soon. If they don’t give it back, you’ll see what happens,” he warned.
Bagram, located north of Kabul, was once the largest U.S. air base in Afghanistan and the nerve center of American operations during the war on terror. Beyond serving as a military stronghold, it featured amenities like Burger King, Pizza Hut, electronic shops, and even housed a large prison facility. For nearly 20 years, it symbolized Washington’s military footprint in the region.
Trump’s warning, therefore, raises fears of renewed conflict in Afghanistan, a country already struggling with economic collapse, humanitarian crises, and ongoing internal security threats. Whether his statements are a negotiating tactic or a genuine plan of action remains unclear, but the potential implications of a U.S. attempt to reclaim Bagram could be profound, both for Afghanistan and for global geopolitics.
Source: Reuters
