President Donald Trump has renewed controversy by calling for the United States to reclaim a former military stronghold in Afghanistan now controlled by the Taliban.
According to the Daily Mail, Trump urged the reoccupation of Bagram Air Base, but military officials warn that such an operation would require a large-scale deployment and face serious logistical and security challenges.
During a recent interview on board Air Force One, Trump said the U.S. should regain control of Bagram Air Base. This facility once served as a central hub for American military operations in Afghanistan. He emphasized its geopolitical significance, saying its location near Chinese nuclear developments gives it unique strategic value. The base, located in a remote part of the country, has been under Taliban control since the U.S. withdrew in 2021.
Trump argued that the Biden administration’s withdrawal decision allowed Islamic extremist groups to gain control of the base, which he claimed now "lies in ruin." He also suggested that diplomatic efforts, rather than combat, could be used to return the site to American command. "We're trying to get it back," Trump said, hinting at possible talks with the Taliban for a peaceful handover. The president asserted that recovering the base is crucial due to its proximity to Chinese facilities. "It's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons," Trump said, adding that Bagram offers a unique advantage in terms of regional surveillance and deterrence.
Military Experts Warn Against Fresh Deployment
Despite Trump’s optimism about a peaceful return, defense analysts and current U.S. officials express strong doubts about the feasibility of such a move. One anonymous U.S. official told Reuters that retaking Bagram would be a massive military commitment, likely requiring more than 10,000 American troops and a return to full-scale combat deployment.
"I don't see how this can realistically happen," said the official, noting that there are no active Pentagon plans to execute such a strategy. The base, which is now surrounded by armed Taliban guards, would demand substantial military resources and planning to secure, whether acquired through force or diplomacy. Even if American forces were allowed to reoccupy Bagram peacefully, security analysts point out that the U.S. would still need to fortify it against threats from extremist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda. Both groups are active in the region and have previously clashed with Taliban fighters as well as Western forces.
Logistics and Location Pose Serious Obstacles
Beyond the military risk, logistical complications pose another significant hurdle in any effort to reclaim and operate Bagram. The air base is located in a landlocked area in Afghanistan, which would make it exceptionally difficult to supply with equipment, food, and personnel.
According to defense experts, reestablishing supply chains for the base would be both expensive and complex. "It would be a logistical nightmare," said one source familiar with current U.S. military assessments. The infrastructure around the base has deteriorated since the Taliban takeover, and any repair or upgrade would take months at a minimum. Additionally, the threat landscape has changed since the U.S. withdrawal. In June, Iran made headlines by targeting a U.S. air base in Qatar with missile strikes, showcasing the vulnerability of such installations in the region. If Bagram were to be reoccupied, it could become a similar target for long-range attacks.
Officials Emphasize Risks May Outweigh Gains
A former senior U.S. defense official told Reuters that even with the base's strategic location, the potential military advantage may not justify the risks involved. “The risks sort of outweigh the advantages,” the official said, expressing skepticism toward Trump’s proposal.
The Biden administration has not issued any formal response to Trump’s calls for reclaiming Bagram. However, officials have noted that recent engagements with Taliban authorities have centered on humanitarian issues, including the freedom of American hostages, rather than negotiations over military installations. Last weekend, U.S. officials met with Taliban leaders in Kabul with the primary focus on the potential release of Americans currently held in Afghanistan. No details were released about whether Bagram or any strategic facilities were discussed during those talks.
Trump’s Comments Draw Political and Military Attention
Trump’s statements mark another instance of him criticizing the Biden administration’s foreign policy, particularly the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has consistently framed the departure as a failure that enabled extremist groups to gain ground and access valuable U.S. military infrastructure.
Bagram had served as the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years before it was vacated. When U.S. troops withdrew, they left behind equipment and vehicles now reportedly in the hands of Taliban forces. Since then, efforts to monitor the region have become more difficult, further complicating any potential return. The president’s idea to "retake the airbase without firing a single bullet" is viewed by officials as highly unlikely under the current conditions. Analysts say the Taliban is unlikely to welcome U.S. troops back and that such negotiations would require extensive diplomatic leverage.
Future of U.S. Presence in the Region Remains Uncertain
For now, there appears to be little momentum within Washington to reevaluate military strategy in Afghanistan. Leaders from both political parties have expressed a desire to avoid restarting prolonged conflicts in the region, especially those involving new deployments. Despite Trump's focus on China's proximity, experts argue that the current global strategy does not prioritize returning to Afghanistan unless new intelligence or events necessitate it. The risks of confrontation with the Taliban or other hostile groups are deemed too high, especially considering the absence of nearby allied supply routes.
As the debate continues, Trump’s remarks have reignited discussions about America's military legacy in Afghanistan — and the realistic limits of retaking lost ground. With warnings from defense leaders and no confirmed plans from federal agencies, the return to Bagram remains a speculative and possibly unattainable goal.
