Trump Eyes Afghan Military Base Again, French Media: Says It's Just 1 Hour Away from China's Nuclear Weapons Manufacturing Site Trump: Is Trying to Regain Control of Bagram Airfield

US President Trump said at a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Starmer on Thursday that the US seeks to regain control of the Bagram Airfield located in northeastern Afghanistan. This airport, built in the 1950s by the Soviet Union, was the main base for US forces in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, until the US withdrawal in 2021 led to its occupation by Taliban personnel.

When talking about the Bagram Airfield, Trump said, "It is one of the largest airbases in the world. We gave it away for nothing (to the Taliban). By the way, we are trying to get it back."

Trump said, "We are trying to get it back because they (the Taliban) need our things. We want to get back that base. But one of the reasons we want to get back this base is, as you know, it is just an hour away from China's nuclear weapons manufacturing site."

However, Kabul stated that it would not accept any such agreement. Taliban Foreign Ministry official Jalal wrote on the X platform, "Afghanistan and the United States need to engage... with the condition that the United States does not maintain a military presence in any area of Afghanistan." He added that the two countries could establish economic and political ties based on mutual respect and common interests.

Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on Friday that "China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and the future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of the Afghan people. I want to emphasize that it is unpopular to escalate tensions and create confrontation in the region. We hope all parties play a constructive role in regional peace and stability."

According to sources who spoke to CNN, discussions about returning the Bagram Airfield to US control can be traced back to at least March this year. The sources said that Trump and his senior national security officials believe there are several reasons for the necessity of the base, including monitoring China within less than 500 miles; obtaining rare earth elements and mining rights in Afghanistan; establishing a counter-terrorism center to combat the Islamic State; and reopening a potential diplomatic facility.

However, one source pointed out that all these goals require a US military presence on the ground. During his first term, Trump reached an agreement with the Taliban in 2020 requiring the full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. It is currently unclear whether the Taliban authorities will negotiate with the US on relinquishing control of the Bagram Airfield. However, Trump hinted at Thursday that Washington has influence over the Taliban authorities.

Last Saturday, US officials held talks with the Taliban authorities regarding the release of American citizens detained incorrectly, and engaged with Kabul. US special envoy for hostages, Boehler, and former US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, Khalilzad, met with the acting foreign minister of the Taliban authorities, Mutaqi.

The US does not recognize the Taliban government. After 20 years of military intervention in Afghanistan, the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843690558107915/

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