When President TrumpAnnouncedDuring a press conference in London that he was trying to achieve access to Bagram Air Base, it came as a surprise for something – especially looking at the face of the United Kingdom Prime Minister Kir stormer.
But for those who have followed President Trump’s remarks in Afghanistan, their comments were not unexpected.On many occasionsHe called it a strategic mistake to hand over Bagram to the Taliban in 2021 and also suggested that the United States should withdraw it.
At this point, President Trump is correct: this was a mistake for President Biden to leave Bagram. The United States left one of the most strategically located airports in the world. The way America slipped – reallyIn the middle of the nightWithout telling the Afghan partners – there was a national insult.
He said, President Trump also takes responsibility. HisDeal with TalibanSet the platform for the complete return of America during its first term. President Biden could change the course but did not choose.
And now the United States is left with a revival Taliban that controls more of Afghanistan, as it was on the eve of 9/11 and an al-Qaeda and ISIS that works independently across the country. President Trump now has an opportunity to correct Biden’s mistake and re -establish the situation in Afghanistan.
In press conference, heSaidOne of the reasons for Bagram is because it is “one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missile.” Although it can be an exaggeration, the strategic place of Bagram in the 21st century is undisputed.
Bagram has about 85 percent of the world’s population and more than half of the earth’s landslides within the eight -hour flight. There are many major trade and transit routes of the world inside this radius, as well as the wholesale of its strategic resources: estimated 75 percent global Rare earth mineral reserves70 percent proven oil reserves And 65 percent proven Natural gas reserves,
For the United States, Bagram brings major benefits in the era of great power competition since one leg in Bagram. Afghanistan is the border of both West and China in the east, while Pakistan and then in the South are India. The north has Central Asia, where the Russia wants to expand the effect.
The location of Bagram is important since antiquity. When Alexander came in the Great 329 BC, he founded Alexandria in the Caucasus, where Bagram is today – hence named because he mistakenly believed that the nearby mountains were Caucasus. In fact, they are Hindu Kush.
The Macedonian warrior knew that he needed a well fortified outpost to control his newly conquered land, and the area made Bagram the best place.
For the Soviet Union, Bagram’s location was equally important. Its proximity to Kabul and the eastern part of the country – one of the main battlefields during the Soviet war – made it the focal point of their presence. Many facilities at Aadhaar trace for Soviet construction.
After 9/11, the United States modernized and expanded them, including another 11,800-foot runway, designed to handle the largest and heaviest military transport aircraft.
This layered history underlines why Bagram remains one of the most valuable aerial areas in the world.
President TrumpClaimHe and his officials are already in touch with the Taliban. The Taliban, however, denies this – possibly due to internal infection.
There is any indication that a group is talking to the United States, increasing doubts among internal rivals. If an arrangement with the Taliban fails to reach the base, the United States must consider all options to re -establish the appearance in Bagram.
President Trump has shown, recently with the Iran strike, that he will use the force when doing so is in the interest of America. President Trump should be bold, and the United States should act in its national interest.
After operations of over two decades, American forces are intimately aware of the base and the surrounding terrain. It is worth noting that the anti-tableban force on the national resistance front under the leadership of Ahmed Masood maintains a stronghold in the Panjshir Valley at a distance less than 50 miles.
While reentry will be difficult and not without risk, it is certainly notable. Once re-established, preventing operations and base, modeling can be done on American appearance in Al-Tanf in Syria, where a deconflusion zone ensures safe and safe operation.
Bagram is about to fix the previous mistakes and prepare for the future since one leg in Bagram. History shows that ignoring Afghanistan is very important.
Since the beginning of the 19th century, there has been there 19 examples American or European intervention in the region, whether military or diplomatically – broadly Once every decade,
Nobody expects that we soldiers will return soon, but no one expected intervention in August 2001. Whether the circumstances must need to be re -organized by the US, it would be priceless for the presence on the ground.
Luke Coffee is a senior companion at the Hudson Institute.
