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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, issued a public threat this Saturday on his social media platform Truth Social, demanding that Afghanistan return the Bagram airbase to Washington's control.
“If Afghanistan does not return the Bagram airbase to those who built it, the United States, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!” he wrote.
On Thursday, during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the conclusion of his official visit to the United Kingdom, Trump had already hinted at his intention to regain control of what was once his largest base in that country.
“We are trying to recover it,” he said then, emphasizing the strategic importance of Bagram due to its geographic proximity to China.
The Bagram Air Base, one of the largest of its kind in the world, was the center of U.S. operations in Afghanistan for two decades.
However, in August 2021, amid the chaotic withdrawal ordered by then-President Joe Biden, the site was abandoned and fell under the control of the Taliban movement.
Afghan government officials and representatives of the Taliban have rejected any possibility of the U.S. restoring a military presence in the country, although they have left the door open for cooperation in other areas as long as national sovereignty is respected.
Trump seized the opportunity to once again criticize the Biden administration in Afghanistan, labeling it as a “total disaster” that, in his view, encouraged Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine in 2022.
"We were going to leave Afghanistan, but with strength and dignity. We were going to hold Bagram. We gave it away for nothing," said the Republican leader.
During the flight back to Washington, Trump insisted that the base "should never have been handed over" and described it as one of the most powerful facilities in the world. "You can land anything there, even a planet," he stated.
Trump's demand to reclaim Bagram reflects a shift in U.S. foreign policy, with a clear focus on containing China and repositioning Washington's military power in Central Asia.
However, the Pentagon has not confirmed that there is a formal plan to retake the base.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's Demands on Afghanistan and His Foreign Policy
Why does Donald Trump demand the return of Bagram Air Base to Afghanistan?
Donald Trump demands the return of Bagram Air Base because he considers its strategic control for the United States, especially due to its proximity to China. Additionally, Trump criticizes the 2021 withdrawal under the Biden administration as a "total disaster."
What has the Afghan government said about the possibility of returning Bagram Base to the U.S.?
The Afghan government and representatives of the Taliban have rejected any possibility of the U.S. reestablishing a military presence in the country. They have made it clear that any cooperation must respect the national sovereignty of Afghanistan.
How does the situation in Afghanistan relate to other foreign policy initiatives of Trump?
Trump's demand regarding Bagram is situated within a broader context of foreign policy, where he seeks to reposition the military power of the United States in Central Asia and curb China's influence. Additionally, Trump has expressed interest in regaining territories occupied by Russia in Ukraine, indicating a confrontational and recovery-focused approach in his foreign policy.
What criticisms has Trump made regarding Joe Biden's management in Afghanistan?
Trump has described Biden's management in Afghanistan as a "total disaster", arguing that the troop withdrawal encouraged Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine in 2022. Trump maintains that the Bagram base should never have been handed over and that his administration would have ensured a dignified and strong exit from the country.
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