Donald Trump’s proposal to retake Afghanistan’s Bagram air base is drawing sharp skepticism from U.S. officials and defense experts, who warn it could resemble a full-scale re-invasion requiring massive resources and manpower.
During a visit to London, the former president said, “We want that base back,” highlighting its location near China. He claimed it lies just an hour from where China produces nuclear weapons.
Bagram served as the main U.S. hub during the 20-year war in Afghanistan before being abandoned in 2021. The sprawling base once featured restaurants, shops, and a large prison complex.
Trump suggested the U.S. could regain control with Taliban cooperation, though officials say such a deal would be extraordinary given the Taliban’s long fight to expel American forces. Even if agreed, experts note the base would be difficult to secure against threats from Islamic State, al Qaeda, or possible missile strikes from Iran.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the idea as impractical: retaking Bagram would require tens of thousands of troops, costly repairs, and constant supply efforts to sustain what would essentially be an isolated enclave.
Former defense officials also downplayed Trump’s argument about the base’s proximity to China, saying the risks far outweigh any military benefit.
Trump has frequently criticized the Biden administration for giving up Bagram, despite his own 2020 agreement with the Taliban that required a complete U.S. withdrawal. His renewed focus on the base comes as the Pentagon continues to review the chaotic 2021 exit from Afghanistan, while American envoys hold talks with Taliban leaders on the fate of U.S. citizens still in the country.
