President Trump has fired a fresh salvo from his wish list, disregarding the sovereignty of an independent nation and ignoring all norms of international decorum and diplomacy. He seems to act like a child who cries whenever he wants to take control of another sovereign country.
AFTER DEMANDING TO take over Greenland, Mexico, and even suggesting adding Canada to the USA, President Donald Trump has once again targeted a sovereign nation—this time to fulfill his wish list, dreams, or his efforts to neutralize his arch-foes.
In his latest demand, Trump said on Thursday (September 18) that his administration is pressing to “get back” the military base at Bagram, Afghanistan. The U.S. president, who has long expressed hope of reclaiming the facility, noted that its position is strategically vital due to its proximity to China.
According to him, Bagram is strategically significant because of its location. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump announced. “We gave it to [the Taliban] for nothing,” he complained, adding that Bagram is “exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles.”
He coolly ignores the question of how the U.S. came to possess Bagram in the first place—by sending its marauding troops into a sovereign nation under the pretext of countering terrorism, as if the U.S. knew with absolute certainty that Afghanistan was the epicenter of terrorism. What America did to the country during its 20-year presence is well-known.
On Truth Social, he wrote: “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.”
One only needs to glance at the wording of this threat, coming from the president of a nation that claims to be the world’s oldest democracy. It completely ignores decency, decorum, and the sanctity of international law.
Bagram Airbase
As expected, Taliban officials dismissed the idea. A foreign ministry official declared on Friday (September 19) that Kabul is ready to engage but made it clear the U.S. would not be allowed to re-establish a military presence in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan and the United States need to engage with one another … without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan,” Zakir Jalal, a foreign ministry official, posted on social media. Kabul, he added, is ready to pursue political and economic ties with Washington based on “mutual respect and shared interests.”
Lying just north of Kabul, Bagram—once host to a notorious prison—served as the hub of U.S. military operations during its two-decade occupation. Thousands of people were imprisoned there for years without charge or trial during the so-called “war on terror,” many of whom were abused or tortured.
The latest remarks came as Trump confirmed for the first time that his administration has been in talks with Taliban officials.
Trump has repeatedly expressed regret that the base was abandoned, arguing that Washington should have maintained a small force—not because of Afghanistan itself, but because of its location near China.
Over the weekend, Adam Boehler, his special hostage envoy, and Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. envoy for Afghanistan, met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul. Discussions reportedly focused on American citizens detained in Afghanistan.
According to CNN reports, U.S. officials have been weighing the possibility of re-establishing a presence at Bagram since at least March.
Fasihuddin Fitrat
However, the Taliban’s top military commander has firmly rejected Trump’s demand. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Fasihuddin Fitrat, dismissed the idea during a state-run TV event in Kabul on Sunday (September 21). He stressed Afghanistan’s sovereignty and its ability to govern itself without foreign intervention.
“Afghanistan is fully independent, governed by its own people, and not dependent on any foreign power,” Bloomberg quoted Fitrat as saying. “We do not fear any bully or aggressor.”
Trump has consistently criticized his successor, Joe Biden, holding him responsible for the disorderly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Since the withdrawal, Bagram has been under Taliban control. Today it stands as a symbol of their triumph and is often showcased during official visits and military parades. The base, a significant military asset, has remained a contentious issue since America’s retreat.
The Taliban’s refusal not only underscores their assertion of sovereignty but also sets a precedent for future negotiations and demands. The situation warrants close monitoring, as it could potentially escalate tensions and affect future diplomatic relations.
Bagram Airbase Afghanistan. (Courtesy: BBC)
Strategically located at the crossroads of Iran, Pakistan, China’s Xinjiang region, and Central Asia, Bagram provides potential leverage for monitoring Russian and Chinese activities.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has established a presence at the base. The Taliban deny this. A BBC investigation—which examined 30 satellite images from late 2020 to 2025—found little activity at the base since the Taliban’s return and no evidence supporting China’s presence there.
India has not yet commented on the development. On Friday (September 19), however, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said: “China respects Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” adding that “the future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of the Afghan people.”
In toto, one is left wondering what kind of man the American public elected—one who appears to make every move for selfish political or monetary gain, not for the country or its people. Despite his MAGA claims, the question remains: where would he ultimately lead America? 
________
Also Read:
SHADOWS BIND NO MAN
Asad Mirza
The author is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national and international affairs, defence and strategic issues, and environmental concerns. He is also an interfaith practitioner and a media consultant. Previously, he was associated with the BBC Urdu Service and the Khaleej Times in Dubai.
Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.
Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.
— Team PT