Afghanistan Peace CampaignHowever, US policy towards Afghanistan and its future relationship with the interim government remain uncertain.
Trump highlighted that Bagram’s proximity to China makes it crucial for the US. He stated: “I was getting out, but I was going to keep Bagram. Right now, China has Bagram. I was going to keep one of the biggest airbases in the world, they left it.”
This is not the first time Trump has stressed the importance of Bagram Airbase for the US. Previously, during his election campaigns, he had criticized the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and pledged that if re-elected, he would reclaim the base.
However, US policy towards Afghanistan and its future relationship with the interim government remain uncertain.
Mohammad Ameen Karim, a political analyst, told TOLOnews: “Their priority is the release of three American citizens from Afghanistan, but reclaiming Bagram Airbase is nothing more than a dream, an illusion, and madness. It will never happen again.”
The Islamic Emirate has not commented on Trump’s recent remarks. However, in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, the acting foreign minister had previously rejected any possibility of handing over Bagram Airbase to the US.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, had stated: “Even if they recognize us and rebuild all of Afghanistan, not just Bagram, we will not give them even a meter of land. This is the stance of the Emirate and the people.”
Sayed Qareebullah Sadat, another political analyst, said: “The Americans think only of their own interests. We, the people of Afghanistan, should also focus on our national interests and how we can meet the needs of our own people.”
Bagram Airbase, located in Parwan province in northern Afghanistan, was the largest US military base in the country during its two-decade-long military presence.