The United States is seeking to retake control of Bagram airbase from the Taliban, Donald Trump has said, bringing back a key strategic asset that was surrendered during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The US president suggested he was negotiating with the Taliban for American forces to once again occupy the base, formerly the largest US military site in the country, and an important regional foothold because of its proximity to China. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has rejected a call from President Donald Trump for the United States military to return to the country and reclaim the Bagram airbase. Bagram air base is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Kabul, in Afghanistan’s Parwan province. Bagram’s location gives it access to several key regions. To the west lies Iran, to the north are Central Asian states, and to the east is China’s western Xinjiang province.
