Written by: Najim Raghand
U.S. President Donald Trump, the other day in a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister, described the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan and the abandonment of Bagram Air Base as a great catastrophe for his country, emphasizing that they would strive to reclaim this major military installation. He had previously stated multiple times that the loss of Bagram Air Base was a major disaster for them, harshly criticizing the Biden administration for it.
America’s twenty-year war in Afghanistan, its defeat, and Bagram Air Base have now turned into campaign slogans, a means of concealing failure, and a tool for mutual blame between the two major political parties (Democrats and Republicans). But the question is: did the Americans and other international invading forces leave Afghanistan by mistake and of their own choosing—now regretting their withdrawal—or were they forced to leave because of pressure and defeat? How possible is it for the U.S. to reclaim this base? What would be the reaction inside Afghanistan to any such possible attempt?
First, it must be clarified that America acknowledged its defeat in Afghanistan during Obama’s presidency and, even then, was seeking ways of retreat and withdrawal. This process accelerated under Trump and Biden, ultimately culminating in signing the official document of defeat and taking the path of retreat. When Trump first became president, he announced a separate strategy for Asia, in which Afghanistan was a major focus. He emphasized a military solution, increased offensives, and thought he could achieve his goals through force.
In Trump’s first two years in presidency, military pressure, airstrikes, and night raids in Afghanistan significantly increased. On the one hand, this caused a dramatic rise in civilian casualties and atrocities; on the other hand, Taliban resistance and combat against U.S. and allied forces intensified, forcing Washington to reconsider its strategy and eventually return to the path of peace and negotiations. By this time, Americans were fully convinced of their defeat, having already exhausted their final military options, only to find them useless and to lose even broader territory while facing mounting pressure.
Consequently, they resorted to dialogue and began searching for ways to completely withdraw from Afghanistan. The document of defeat and retreat was largely drafted during Trump’s Republican administration and nearly finalized, while Biden’s Democratic administration signed it. Both parties accepted their military defeat in Afghanistan and agreed that retreat was the only option. However, later, the same American politicians—whether in power or opposition—used this matter as an electoral tool, trying to divert public and international attention elsewhere and to shirk responsibility.
This blame-shifting has not only turned into a political weapon among politicians, but also caused rifts within the U.S. government itself, where the Departments of Defense and State, as well as intelligence agencies, blame each other, with each trying to claim credit. Yet the core truth remains: America suffered a military defeat in Afghanistan and fled. Even for generations to come, they will not dare return. Within Afghanistan, no one is prepared to negotiate with the Americans over their return or over military bases. If such deals were possible, they would have happened during the time of maximum military pressure. Now that the Afghans are the victors, and their entire struggle was for this very purpose, why would they reverse it?
Americans may continue to repeat such claims as campaign slogans, for blame-shifting, and to mislead public opinion, but the reality on the ground is entirely different. Bagram Air Base is now a strong Afghan military and air base, used for strengthening national defense and suppressing enemies. It will not be bargained away, gifted, or leased out like under other governments. Bagram is a crucial part of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and carries an honor-bound significance for the entire country.
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