President Trump Seeks to Reclaim Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan
President Donald Trump said his administration is seeking to reclaim possession of Bagram, an air base in Afghanistan, that he has criticized his predecessor for handing over during the U.S. exit from that country.
“We’re trying to get it back, by the way,” Trump said Thursday during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as he wrapped up a visit to the U.K.
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While it is unclear if the administration has discussed retaking the base with the Afghan government, Trump said he believed the U.S. had leverage to secure its return.
Background on the Bagram Air Base
The Bagram air base has been a strategic location for the U.S. military in the past. It was used as a key base for operations during the war in Afghanistan. However, in 2021, the U.S. withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, and the base was handed over to the Afghan government.
Trump has been critical of the withdrawal, saying that it was a mistake to leave the base and other military assets behind. He has also claimed that the base is now under the control of China, which Afghan authorities have disputed.
Trump’s Reasons for Wanting the Base Back
“We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back,” Trump said. He also stated that the base is located near where China makes its nuclear weapons, making it a strategic location for the U.S.
“One of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons. So a lot of things are happening, but I am very disappointed in the fact that that one’s not settled,” Trump said.
Trump’s Criticism of the Withdrawal
Trump has long criticized former President Joe Biden over the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He has said that the move left American weaponry and other military assets, including the base at Bagram, in the hands of the Taliban government.
“It was gross incompetence to give that up,” Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington. “It’s one of the most powerful bases in the world in terms of runway strength and length, the strength and length you can land anything on there. You can land a planet on top of it.”
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Conclusion
In conclusion, President Trump’s administration is seeking to reclaim the Bagram air base in Afghanistan. Trump has criticized the withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that it was a mistake to leave the base and other military assets behind. He believes that the U.S. has leverage to secure the return of the base and has stated that it is a strategic location due to its proximity to where China makes its nuclear weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does President Trump want to reclaim the Bagram air base?
A: President Trump wants to reclaim the Bagram air base because he believes it is a strategic location for the U.S. and that it was a mistake to leave it behind during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Q: Is the Bagram air base currently under the control of China?
A: Afghan authorities have disputed Trump’s claim that the base is under the control of China. However, the current status of the base is unclear.
Q: What is the significance of the Bagram air base?
A: The Bagram air base is a strategic location due to its proximity to where China makes its nuclear weapons. It is also one of the most powerful bases in the world in terms of runway strength and length.
By Kate Sullivan and Catherine Lucey, Bloomberg News
