Return of Bagram air base could amount to renewed U.S. intervention in Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to regain control of the Bagram air base could amount to a renewed intervention in Afghanistan, former and current American officials said.

They said taking back the base would likely require sending more than 10,000 troops and deploying modern air defense systems, steps that could be seen as a fresh intervention.

According to the officials, Washington is not actively planning a military operation to retake the base. Even if it were regained, clearing and securing the vast perimeter to prevent rocket attacks on U.S. forces would demand major resources.

Trump earlier told a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that one reason for seeking control of Bagram is its location just an hour’s flight from where China produces nuclear weapons.