Trump Demands Return of Strategic Bagram Airbase from Taliban Control

US Demands Return of Bagram Airbase from Taliban In a surprising turn of events, United States President Donald Trump has demanded that the Afghan government hand over the strategic Bagram airbase to Washington. This comes five years after he signed a deal with the Taliban that paved the way for the US withdrawal from Kabul. At a news conference on September 18, Trump told reporters that the US government was trying to get Bagram back. "We gave it to the Taliban for nothing," he said. "We want that base back." Two days later, on September 20, he followed up with a pointed threat on his Truth Social platform: "If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!" The Taliban has rejected Trump's demand. This is not the first time, however, that Trump has shown his willingness to use strong language in pursuit of US interests. Bagram airbase, located in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, was a key hub for US military operations in the country. It was from this base that US forces launched many of their missions against terrorist groups. The US withdrawal from Bagram was part of a broader deal with the Taliban to end the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan. In exchange for the withdrawal, the Taliban agreed to certain security guarantees and assurances about the treatment of Afghan civilians. However, since taking control of the country, the Taliban has faced criticism over its human rights record and its handling of women's rights. The US demand for Bagram's return may be seen as an attempt to exert pressure on the Taliban to improve its behavior. The situation is complex, with multiple stakeholders involved. The Afghan government, led by President Ashraf Ghani, has rejected Trump's demand, saying that Bagram is now a sovereign Afghan territory. The Taliban, meanwhile, has vowed to defend its control over the base. As tensions rise, analysts are warning of potential consequences for regional stability and global security. "The US demand for Bagram's return is a classic example of 'might makes right'," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an expert on international relations at Georgetown University. "It's a recipe for disaster, as it undermines the sovereignty of Afghanistan and creates uncertainty in the region." The current status of the situation remains unclear, with both sides dug in. The US has not specified what actions it will take if its demand is rejected. The Taliban, meanwhile, has vowed to defend its control over Bagram. As the standoff continues, one thing is clear: the fate of Bagram airbase and the future of Afghanistan hang precariously in the balance. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*