China And Taliban Reject Trump’s Bagram Proposal, Exposing America’s Struggle Over Strategic Afghan Air Base

International News: Donald Trump recently spoke in Britain about a bold plan. He said the United States is exploring ways to regain Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. He stressed that the base is near sensitive Chinese military zones, including nuclear facilities. Trump argued that this makes the airfield strategically vital.

His remarks reignited debate about America’s future role in Afghanistan. The plan quickly drew reactions from regional players. What Trump saw as a military necessity, others saw as a spark for conflict.

Taliban Rejects Military Return

The Taliban government in Kabul wasted no time responding. Zakir Jalal, a senior Taliban official, firmly rejected Trump’s statement. He declared that Afghanistan has never accepted foreign military presence. According to him, such proposals had already been dismissed during the Doha talks years ago.

The Taliban made it clear they will not allow America back at Bagram. They framed the rejection as both a political and cultural stand. For Afghans, history is full of resistance to foreign armies. The message was unambiguous: no negotiations on Bagram.

China’s Swift Opposition

China also delivered a sharp message. Its Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, rejected Trump’s idea outright. He warned that such moves would inflame tensions in the region. Beijing said it does not support any foreign military expansion in Afghanistan. Chinese officials stressed dialogue, not provocation, should guide policy.

They see Trump’s plan as destabilizing. With China’s rising influence in Central Asia, it aims to keep US forces away. The rejection highlighted Beijing’s growing alignment with the Taliban government.

Why Bagram Matters Deeply

Bagram Air Base is not just any facility. For two decades, the United States used it as its strongest foothold in Asia. From there, Washington could monitor Iran, India, and China. It gave America the ability to launch strikes across the region.

After the 2021 withdrawal ordered by President Biden, control shifted to the Taliban. Its importance remains undeniable even today. Analysts say whoever controls Bagram controls a strategic eye over South and Central Asia. This explains Trump’s eagerness to get it back.

Memories Of US Withdrawal

The rejection of Trump’s proposal reopens wounds from 2021. When Biden ordered a full withdrawal, the US left Bagram in the middle of the night. Within weeks, the Taliban captured Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan. America’s sudden departure is still criticized as a historic blunder. It symbolized the end of 20 years of occupation.

The Taliban’s swift takeover shocked global observers. Now Trump’s call to retake Bagram sounds to many like reopening an old wound. For Afghans, it recalls painful memories of war.

Regional Balance Of Power

Experts say the reactions of China and the Taliban reveal a shifting balance. Both actors now coordinate more closely against US influence. China has invested heavily in Afghanistan after America’s exit. The Taliban, too, sees Beijing as an economic partner. This leaves Washington with fewer allies in the region.

Trump’s comments have highlighted how limited US leverage has become. The message is that neither Kabul nor Beijing wants American troops back. Regional players now prefer shaping their own security future.

America’s Strategic Dilemma

For the United States, the rejection signals a bigger problem. Without bases like Bagram, its ability to project power in Asia is weakened. The Pentagon must rethink its regional strategy. Trump’s statement may have been meant to test reactions, but it exposed Washington’s isolation.

America now faces a dilemma: pursue costly re-entry plans or adapt to reduced influence. Either choice carries risks. The coming months will show whether Washington seeks a new path. For now, the Bagram door is firmly closed.