Trump's dream of retaking Bagram might end up looking like an Afghan re-invasion, sources say

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Trump's dream of retaking Bagram might end up looking like an Afghan re-invasion, sources say

Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali
Thu, September 18, 2025 at 5:33 PM EDT
4 min read

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of re-occupying Bagram air base in Afghanistan might end up looking like a re-invasion of the country, requiring more than 10,000 troops as well as deployment of advanced air defenses, current and former U.S. officials say.

Trump, speaking to reporters on Thursday during a trip to London, said "we want that base back" and cited what he called its strategic location near China.

"It's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons," Trump said.

The sprawling airfield was the main base for American forces in Afghanistan during the two decades of war that followed the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York and Washington by al Qaeda.

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