Bagram base retake might require Taliban consent, Trump hints

US – Afghanistan – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) -US President Donald Trump has talked about taking back the Bagram air base in Afghanistan. However, experts and officials warn this plan could be very difficult. They say it might look like the US is invading the country all over again.

To successfully control the base, they estimate it would require over 10,000 American troops. The military would also need to bring in advanced air defense systems to protect them. The base was once a major hub for US forces but was left behind in 2021.

President Trump mentioned the base is in a key spot near China. He suggested the US might be able to get it back with the Taliban’s permission. Yet, it is unclear if the Taliban would ever agree to such a deal after recently taking full control.

A current US official stated there are no active plans to take the base by force. They explained that retaking it would be a massive and costly project. The base is now damaged and would need huge repairs to work again.

Supplying the remote base would also be a major logistical challenge. Even if secured, defending its large perimeter from rocket attacks would require many more soldiers. One official simply said, “I don’t see how this can realistically happen.”

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Security experts agree the base would be very hard to protect. Threats could come from other militant groups within Afghanistan, like Islamic State. There is also a potential risk of attacks from nearby countries like Iran.

A former defense leader downplayed the benefits Trump mentioned. They felt the risks and costs of holding the base are much greater than any advantage. This idea comes as the US is still reviewing its troubled exit from Afghanistan in 2021.