Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated during a cabinet meeting that the U.S. should have kept Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan. He emphasized that retaining the base was crucial for strategic purposes, not just for Afghanistan.

Trump reiterated his earlier claims about the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, specifically highlighting his desire to keep Bagram Airbase. He noted that the base was just one hour away from China’s missile production area and was strategically vital.

Trump further argued that U.S. forces should have left through Bagram instead of Kabul airport, suggesting that the chaotic withdrawal would have been avoided. He criticized the handling of the withdrawal and the choice of Kabul airport for the operation.

He pointed out that Bagram provided a solid, fortified base with hundreds of hectares of land, whereas Kabul’s small, inadequate airport led to the disorganized evacuation.

Meanwhile, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with U.S. weapons remaining in Afghanistan, stating that the Taliban is selling them. He emphasized that Afghanistan has become one of the largest sellers of military equipment globally.

He estimated that the U.S. left behind $85 billion worth of military equipment, including helicopters, vehicles, and firearms. Trump insisted that these weapons should be reclaimed, as they are now in the hands of the Taliban.