The Soviet-built airstrip was the main base for American forces in the mountainous South Asian nation following the attacks of 9/11. They withdrew in 2021, with the Taliban taking over shortly after.
Analysts told The i Paper that Trump’s comments could be seen as a way of intimidating China and other world leaders. But one described the scheme as a “security nightmare”.
“It’s one of the most powerful bases in the world in terms of runway strength and length,” he said. “You can land anything on there. You can land a planet on top of it.”
“There’s also a certain geopolitical proximity toward China, so there are strategic benefits to the base in itself.”
US relations with China
“One of the reasons we want that base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” Trump said. “So a lot of things are happening.”
Trump’s comments on Bagram came during a joint press conference with Starmer during the state visit (Photo: Andre Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)“The US already has a fairly good idea about Chinese military modernisation including nuclear weapons,” Dr Loefflmann said.
The US has a big military presence in Korea and Japan “so potential having one in central Asia would be part of that,” he added.
“Could Trump be concerned about the closeness of India and China at the recent meetings that they had?” he asked.
“There’s a phrase I used to use when I played semi-professional football which was, ‘Get your retaliation in first,’ which is what Trump is doing,” he said. “In more diplomatic terms, he is saying: ‘Don’t mess with us.’”
American and British soldiers were stationed in the Afghanistan base from 2001 to 2021 (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty)A security nightmare
He added: “The Afghans have not accepted a military presence in history, and this possibility was completely rejected during the Doha talks and agreement, but the door is open for further interaction.”
The 20-year conflict came to an end in disquieting fashion under President Joe Biden, with the US-backed Afghan government quickly collapsing.
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Dr Loefflmann said keeping the airbase following the agreement would have been in contradiction to the core intention of the negotiations – for US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan.
“Frankly, I think this is just another in a long line of hobby horses for this president,” he added.
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