Kabul Dismisses U.S. Return, Calls for Equal Political and Economic Engagement
KABUL – Afghanistan has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about regaining control of the Bagram Air Base, stating that any return of American forces to Afghan soil is “unacceptable and unworkable.” The rebuke follows Trump’s comments during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he emphasized Bagram’s strategic importance, particularly due to its proximity to China.
“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, referring to the former U.S. military base, which served as the main operational hub for American forces in Afghanistan from 2001 until their complete withdrawal in 2021. “We want that base back,” he added, positioning the effort as a move with geopolitical significance.
However, Afghanistan was quick to dismiss the idea. Zakir Jalal, a senior official from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took to X (formerly Twitter) to reiterate the country’s stance: “Afghanistan and the United States need to engage with one another… without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan.”
He added that future relations between the two nations should be rooted in mutual respect and shared interests, not military intervention.
China Backs Afghanistan, Warns Against Regional Provocations
China also weighed in on the matter, offering diplomatic backing to Kabul. Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that Afghanistan’s future should be determined by its own people. “China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” he said. “Stoking tensions and creating confrontation in the region wins no popular support.”
Trump’s comments come amid ongoing informal diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and the Taliban over issues like the release of detained American citizens. Last weekend, Adam Boehler, a former U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, and Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, met with the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Although Washington still does not officially recognize the Taliban-led government, back-channel discussions continue on humanitarian and consular matters. However, Kabul’s outright rejection of renewed military presence makes it clear that any future relationship with the U.S. must remain non-military in nature.
Responding specifically to Trump’s remarks, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said: “We reject the return of U.S. forces to Afghan soil. The presence of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is unacceptable and unworkable.”
Ironically, it was Trump himself who initiated the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan during his presidency, a move that was finalized under President Joe Biden in 2021, leading to the Taliban’s return to power.
