A U.S. return to Bagram isn’t a bad idea

The Washington Post ^ | September 20, 2025 | Editorial Board

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The abandoned airfield in Afghanistan was once a symbol of American power. Trump wants it back.

For nearly 20 years, the Bagram air base stood as the sprawling symbol of American power in Afghanistan and as the heart of the long U.S. military intervention there. The Biden administration secretly evacuated the base on July 1, 2021, a few weeks ahead of its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Afghan army left in control of the base surrendered to the Taliban.

Now, President Donald Trump says he wants Bagram back. “We gave it to them for nothing,” he said in in London on Thursday. “We’re trying to get it back, by the way. … We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.” Good. Bagram is worth pursuing, though not at any cost.

Bagram is strategically important because of its proximity to the border with China and to a nuclear testing range at Lop Nur in a remote part of Xinjiang province. The testing range was long believed abandoned, but there have been reports of increased Chinese military construction activities in the area.

An American military presence at Bagram would also allow the U.S. to conduct counterterrorism operations in a volatile region against the Islamic State-Khorasan terrorist group, which is also at war with the Taliban and has also spread its tentacles into Europe.

What the Taliban wants most from the U.S. is recognition. The country’s seat at the United Nations is still held by the former government. The Taliban would also like to access $7 billion in assets frozen in the U.S. to boost its flagging economy.

Taliban officials don’t sound eager for American troops to return to Bagram. “Afghans...”

[E. Pluribus Unum]

NOW they tell us.

[marktwain]

One of the worst policy decisions by the Biden administration was to “evacuate Bagram” first. Trump’s plan was to keep it.

[Gen.Blather]

So, we are setting up for having US military Personnel getting kidnapped and held for ransom? Great plan.

[McGruff]

“Bagram is strategically important because of its proximity to the border with China and to a nuclear testing range at Lop Nur “

We don't have satellites?

[silverleaf]

Even if we “ lease” it back, having American boots on the ground should keep Xi in a low hover

Assuming the jihads dont try to kill us for being there and we dont waste money and lives trying to upgrade their civilization by 1500 years

[blackdog]

What sector within the Taliban's economy needs investment?

I had no idea? What is their GDP? Heroin? Handwoven wool rugs? Finger bowls?

[Leaning Right]

> So, we are setting up for having US military Personnel getting kidnapped and held for ransom? <

If nothing else, they’d be targets for any jihadist in a nearby neighborhood who wants to shoot at a few infidels.

The British felt they had be darn near everywhere. That helped bankrupt their empire. Let’s not repeat that mistake.

[Allegra]

It’s a decent airfield with good runways, too.

Or it was. Not sure what Biden’s buddies have do done to it.

[desertsolitaire]

“Taliban officials don’t sound eager for American troops to return to Bagram. “Afghans...”

This is standard negotiating language and has been used forever. This base back in US hands is worth pursuing; we have it, i think, but for details of assistance to them. We also are reviving Subic Bay in the Phillipines as an arms manufacturing and refurbishing hub. Can a bigger footprint in Greenland be far behind?
I also believe we will merge in some useful way with Canada, benefitting both sides. Securing Mexico without the drug cartels in charge would also help secure our Southern border and could open massive manufacturing that benefits both sides under new terms.
We need to make our own prescription medications again, why not revitalize Puerto Rico to do it there? Rebuild their infrastructure and electric grid, water supply while we do it.
And finally, normalize Cuban relations and make them a manufacturing and tourism hub. I’d love to vacation in a rebuilt and prosperous Cuba in my lifetime, one that enriches instead of impoverished and oppressing it’s citizens. Time to rethink and make deals happen. Old grievances should be laid to rest and new relationships move forward. Our time on Earth is finite. Let’s not spend most or all of it on past hard feelings.

[DesertRhino]

It’s a freaking mentally retarded idea. We give the Taliban 7 billion, have a new way to screw around in central Asia, and once again play with the Afghan turn and get even more crap on our fingers.
Once we are there, someone will shoot a rocket at the base, so we will need a security perimeter and a small defensive force... and here we go again.

Does DC know we would need to find a suitcase with at least 37 trillion in it to even be able to claim to be flat broke?

What in God’s name does screwing around in deep central Asia and partnering with the Taliban have to do with MAGA?

[HereInTheHeartland]

Was this the most egregious thing Bidet did?

[Vermont Lt]

How ‘bout No!

How does he expect to walk in and take it back?

Sometimes I think this country is run by morons.

[Thud]

Insane

[iontheball]

Biden destructive screwups range from Bagram to the huge new expensive Air Force Base in Niger that the Nigerians are taking possession of.

[DesertRhino]

Good. There’s no rational reason for the American military to be having a big presence in north central Africa.

[KarlInOhio]

What the Taliban wants most from the U.S. is recognition cash, piles and piles of cash.

In the past couple of days there was a sob story about an Afghan woman dying in childbirth because lack of American foreign aid shut down the local clinic. Send money, send money, send money!

[Brian Griffin]

It’s every bit as sensible as a woman climbing into a polar bear’s space at a zoo.

[NonValueAdded]

Someone pointed out the logistical nightmare it was for the attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. It isn’t something that can be repeated over and over in a hot conflict. Bagram resolves that.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Of course you folks are aware Trump is a dealmaker. Don’t you people think the Taliban just might need something Trump has to offer? Politically it will allow Trump to rub Biden’s nose in his failures.

Washington Post? Come on!

Someone needs to point out that we need to make the same deal with the other democrat mistake in Viet Nam.

[delta7]

FOLLY, fools.