Claim: Bagram Airbase has been handed over to the United States and is effectively under Chinese control.
Verdict: Unverified. Conflicting reports and official denials leave the situation unclear.
Background:
Recent media speculation and political commentary have reignited controversy over the status of Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan—a facility of strategic military significance. The airbase, previously a key hub for U.S. and NATO operations, was vacated following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and has since remained under Taliban control.
Claim Details:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at the Republican National Committee on April 8, criticized President Joe Biden for what he described as the loss of Bagram to Chinese influence. Trump alleged that Biden’s withdrawal left the base exposed, allowing China to occupy or benefit from its strategic location near Chinese nuclear infrastructure. He emphasized that under his leadership, the U.S. would have retained control over Bagram.
Simultaneously, some unconfirmed reports have emerged suggesting that the Taliban has secretly handed Bagram back to the U.S., with military aircraft, intelligence officials—including a deputy CIA chief—and equipment reportedly arriving at the base.
Counterclaim:
The Taliban has issued a categorical denial. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed the reports of renewed U.S. military activity at Bagram as “propaganda,” asserting that no foreign troops or intelligence presence exists at the base. Mujahid reaffirmed the Taliban’s control over the facility, stating that Afghanistan’s sovereignty remains intact and that rumors of a U.S. return are “impossible.”
Analysis:
No credible independent verification has been provided to confirm the presence of U.S. forces or CIA officials at Bagram.
The Taliban remains the de facto authority in Afghanistan and has publicly denied any foreign military activity at the site.
Trump’s assertions appear politically motivated and speculative, not based on confirmed intelligence or official military disclosures.
The strategic value of Bagram—due to its proximity to China and its former role in U.S. operations—makes it a focal point of geopolitical narrative-building, particularly among competing powers.
Conclusion:
There is no definitive evidence at this time that Bagram Airbase has been handed back to the United States or that it is under Chinese control. Official Taliban statements deny any such transfer, and no verifiable data from U.S. defense sources confirm Trump’s claim. The matter remains speculative and should be treated with caution until independently corroborated.
Status: Unverified – Conflicting claims without independent confirmation.
