On September 20, 2025, a familiar but deeply contentious flashpoint in U.S.-Afghan relations erupted back into the global spotlight. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a forceful threat to Afghanistan, demanding the return of Bagram Airbase—a site that has become synonymous with America’s two-decade-long military engagement in the country. "If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN," Trump declared in a Truth Social post, as reported by Reuters. The stark warning was the latest escalation in a dispute that has simmered since the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, leaving the base—and much of the country—in the hands of the Taliban.
Trump’s demand, and the threat that accompanied it, drew immediate attention both in Washington and Kabul. The former president’s words were direct, unmistakable, and, for many, reminiscent of the high-stakes rhetoric that has defined his approach to foreign policy. According to Reuters, Trump made it clear that the United States was actively seeking to regain control of Bagram, a facility that had served as the nerve center for American operations following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
In an exchange with reporters on September 19, Trump elaborated on his administration’s efforts, stating that he was in communication with Afghan authorities about the possibility of reclaiming the base. "We are speaking with Afghanistan about it," he said, as cited by Reuters. The timing of the push was notable: it came just days after the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, underscoring the symbolic weight Bagram still carries for many Americans.
Bagram Airbase, located about 40 miles north of Kabul, has been a focal point of U.S. military strategy in the region since the early days of the War on Terror. For years, it was the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan, hosting thousands of troops, aircraft, and vast logistical operations. Its abrupt handover to the Taliban in 2021, following the U.S. withdrawal, marked a dramatic turning point not just in the war, but in the broader relationship between the two countries.
The U.S. withdrawal itself was a subject of intense debate at home and abroad. Many in the American political establishment saw the exit as both overdue and fraught with risk, while critics argued it left a power vacuum quickly filled by the Taliban. The group’s rapid takeover of Bagram was emblematic of its swift resurgence, and the base’s fate has remained a sore point for many U.S. officials ever since.
Trump’s renewed focus on Bagram is not without precedent. Throughout his presidency and beyond, he has repeatedly criticized the 2021 withdrawal, calling it hasty and poorly managed. His latest statements, however, go further than mere criticism, signaling a willingness to escalate tensions if his demands are not met. "The United States had sought to regain control of the base used by American forces following the attacks of September 11, 2001," Trump said on September 18, as reported by Reuters and other outlets.
Afghan officials, for their part, have responded with firmness—and more than a hint of exasperation. Zakir Jalal, a foreign ministry official in Kabul, took to X (formerly Twitter) on September 18 to make his government’s position clear: "Afghanistan and the United States need to engage with one another... without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan." His words, reported by Reuters, encapsulate a sentiment widely shared within Afghanistan’s current government—a deep reluctance to allow any foreign military footprint to return, especially after years of war and occupation.
The Taliban’s own stance, while not directly quoted in the recent exchanges, has been consistently opposed to any foreign military presence since their return to power. The group’s rapid consolidation of control over Afghanistan, including Bagram, was seen by many as a repudiation of the foreign intervention that began in 2001. For Afghan leaders and the Taliban alike, the idea of ceding Bagram back to the U.S. is not just a matter of sovereignty, but a litmus test of their authority and legitimacy.
For many ordinary Afghans, the debate over Bagram is more than just a geopolitical chess match. The base has long been a symbol of both American power and the tumultuous changes that have swept the country over the past two decades. Its role as a hub for military operations, intelligence gathering, and even detention has left a complicated legacy—one that continues to shape perceptions of the U.S. in Afghanistan, for better or worse.
Internationally, Trump’s threat has raised eyebrows and sparked concern among allies and rivals alike. The possibility of renewed confrontation over Bagram comes at a time when Afghanistan remains deeply unstable, with humanitarian crises, security challenges, and political uncertainty still the order of the day. Many observers worry that a fresh dispute over the base could further inflame tensions and undermine efforts to stabilize the country.
Within the United States, reactions to Trump’s remarks have been sharply divided. Some supporters see his tough stance as necessary to reassert American interests and undo what they view as a strategic blunder. Critics, however, warn that threatening Afghanistan could backfire, further damaging America’s reputation and complicating diplomatic efforts. The debate has exposed deep divisions not just about Afghanistan, but about the broader role the U.S. should play in the world following two decades of costly intervention.
Meanwhile, Afghan officials have sought to frame the dispute as a matter of mutual respect and engagement, rather than confrontation. Jalal’s statement on X emphasized the need for dialogue "without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan," a position that reflects both domestic political realities and the desire to avoid further escalation.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: Bagram Airbase remains a potent symbol of the unresolved tensions between the United States and Afghanistan. The base’s future—whether it remains under Taliban control, is returned to U.S. hands, or becomes the subject of a negotiated compromise—will likely be shaped by the evolving balance of power in the region, as well as by the willingness of both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue.
For now, Trump’s warning stands as a stark reminder that, even years after the withdrawal, the legacy of America’s longest war continues to reverberate. The fate of Bagram, and the broader relationship between Washington and Kabul, hangs in the balance—caught between history, politics, and the very real lives of those affected by decisions made far from Afghanistan’s windswept runways.