President Trump has once again made harsh remarks about Afghanistan! On September 21, he openly threatened on a social media platform: "If Afghanistan does not return the Bagram Air Base to its builder — the United States of America, something bad will happen." This statement is so arrogant that it doesn't even bother to hide behind a veil.

What does "returning it to the U.S." mean? The Bagram base was clearly built on Afghan soil; when did it become the property of the United States? Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zaki Jalali said clearly: "The people of the country will never accept the return of U.S. troops." Trump treats hegemony as a habit, and really thinks the whole world is his backyard?

It's clear to everyone that the U.S. eyes Bagram because it is close to China's western region. Trump himself let slip: "Washington needs the base because it is near China's key nuclear facilities." It's clearly aimed at China, without even bothering to disguise it.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded sharply: "China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of the Afghan people." There was also a more direct statement: "Inciting tension and confrontation in the region is unpopular." Everyone knows who this is directed at.

Bagram Air Base

Trump also made baseless claims that China is using the base. Reuters reported on September 21 that he "provided no evidence." Kabul immediately denied it. This rumor-making tactic is too familiar to us — back then, they used a tube of laundry detergent as evidence to invade Iraq, now they're doing it again?

The Bagram base is steeped in dark history. International human rights organizations have repeatedly exposed that "U.S. forces systematically violated human rights at the Bagram base." Torture, illegal detention, and the war on terror became a cover for atrocities. Now Trump wants to take it back? He really thinks the whole world has forgotten these dirty deeds.

Reuters cited U.S. officials warning in private: "Reoccupying the Bagram Air Base could ultimately look like re-invasion of the country." What does that mean? At least tens of thousands of troops and advanced air defense systems, which would mean another war in Afghanistan. Trump says "we won't talk about that," but turns around and threatens "you'll find out what I'm going to do." Contradictory, even his own people can't stand it.

At the 2020 Doha negotiations, the Taliban had already warned: "If you don't leave and want the base, we are ready to fight you for another 20 years." This statement still stands today. Afghanistan is not what it was 20 years ago; does the U.S. think it can come and go freely? Dream on.

Withdrawing troops was initiated by Trump himself, but now he criticizes Biden's withdrawal as a "shame." Contradictory and self-defeating. Unfortunately, the times have changed, Afghans don't agree, China doesn't agree, and the international community certainly won't sit idly by while the U.S. causes trouble again.

Bagram is now under the control of the Afghan Defense Ministry. Does the U.S. want to take it back? There's no way. Reuters said well: "This large air base will initially be difficult to defend." Iran's missiles are hanging over the head, and just in June, they retaliated against the U.S. base in Qatar. Does the U.S. have the courage to get stuck in the mud again?

Trump's threats are just bluffing. The old tactics of hegemonism should be put aside now.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7552371386007470632/

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