Afghanistan Pushes Back Against U.S. Demands for Bagram, Citing Past Exploitation and Changing Geopolitical Realities

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has delivered a sharp rejection of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to retake Bagram Air Base, declaring that “not even one metre of Afghan land will be given to the Americans.”

Speaking to Tolo News, Muttaqi’s statement underlined what Kabul views as a red line: the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The refusal comes against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated insistence that Washington should have retained Bagram, a key strategic hub during the 20-year U.S. occupation of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued an official statement, stressing that the country is committed to a “balanced, economy-oriented foreign policy” rooted in Islamic values, mutual interests, and above all, independence.

The message was clear: Afghanistan will not allow itself to be reduced to a pawn in Washington’s global chessboard again.

Why the U.S. Entered Afghanistan in 2001

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Under Operation Enduring Freedom, American forces toppled the Taliban government that had hosted Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Bagram Air Base became the symbol of U.S. power projection, serving as both a military nerve center and a notorious detention site.

Initially, Washington’s objectives were to dismantle Al Qaeda and remove the Taliban. But over time, the mission expanded into state-building, installing Western-backed governments, and reshaping Afghan society. What was sold as “security” increasingly resembled long-term occupation.

Why Kabul Rejects the U.S. Today

Two decades of war left deep scars. Tens of thousands of civilians died in drone strikes, bombings, and firefights. Millions were displaced, and Afghanistan’s infrastructure was left in ruins. For many Afghans, U.S. promises of democracy and development translated into exploitation, corruption, and dependency.

Bagram itself came to represent humiliation—a foreign fortress on Afghan soil, with thousands imprisoned for years without trial, many subjected to torture. When the Taliban retook Afghanistan in 2021, regaining Bagram was portrayed domestically as the final proof of victory over a superpower.

Today, Kabul’s rejection of U.S. demands reflects both bitter memories and a shifting world order:

• Doha Agreement Betrayal: The U.S. promised in 2020 not to violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Demanding Bagram again is seen as a breach of that deal.
• Geopolitical Realignment: Afghanistan is increasingly looking toward China, Russia, Iran, and regional partners. Allowing the U.S. back would undermine these ties and rebrand the Taliban as puppets of Washington.
• National Identity: Having fought for 20 years to reclaim their land, the Taliban are determined not to surrender sovereignty for short-term benefits.
• Symbol of Independence: Saying “no” to Washington is also about showing its people and the world that Afghanistan is no longer a client state.

Then vs. Now

• 2001: The U.S. entered Afghanistan to destroy Al Qaeda, topple the Taliban, and project dominance in the region.
• 2025: The Taliban are back in power, claiming victory. Afghanistan, once used and exploited by Washington, is now rejecting all demands to cede ground. In the new multipolar order, Kabul is determined to position itself as independent and unyielding.

For Afghanistan, Bagram is not just a base—it is a symbol of occupation, abuse, and betrayal. And the message to Washington is firm: that era is over.

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