Former US President Donald Trump recently warned, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Bagram Airbase and cautioned of dire consequences if the Taliban fails to cooperate.

Security for Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has been heightened in Kandahar. His residence, located in a local businessman’s guesthouse in the Aino Mina area, is under a special security cordon. Internet services have been shut down, and restrictions have been placed on phones and other communication devices. Commandos have been deployed around him.

High-level meetings in Kandahar saw the participation of Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Higher Education Minister Nada Mohammad Nadim, senior officials from the intelligence agency, the communications minister, the central bank governor, and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The meetings concluded that the transfer of the Bagram Airbase is impossible, and the Taliban will respond directly if the US attacks.

Some officials warned Akhundzada that under the 2020 Doha Agreement, the US might return to Afghanistan to counter terrorism. However, Akhundzada insisted on continuing political dialogue while rejecting any foreign military presence.

Bagram Airbase was the largest US military base and the main center of operations for 20 years. It came under Taliban control after the withdrawal of US forces in August 2021. Trump has considered it strategically important against China and terrorism. The Taliban has recently advised the US to respect the 2020 Doha Agreement and avoid repeating past failed policies.

This warning is likely to provoke the Afghan Taliban, who have already rejected Trump’s demand. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “If Afghanistan does not give back Bagram Air Base to those who built it, meaning the United States, bad things will happen.”

Trump previously indicated an intention to re-establish a US military presence at Bagram Air Base, which the Taliban seized control of after the US military withdrawal in 2021. Following Trump’s discussions with Afghanistan on the matter, the Taliban issued a statement rejecting his demand. This warning raises concerns about potential forceful action by Trump to reintroduce US forces into Afghanistan, potentially leading to renewed conflict in the region.

In response to China’s growing military strength, the United States is attempting to increase its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. It has utilized joint military exercises for this purpose. China’s advanced missile capabilities now pose a threat to all US bases in the region, including the Anderson Air Force Base on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Shifting its focus from the Middle East, the US is now concentrating on the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence.

The security policies of other Asian countries are also being affected by the military competition between the US and China. US military exercises have taken place in Southeast Asia in the first six months of 2025.

In Bangladesh, over 100 US soldiers conducted a joint military exercise with the Bangladeshi Air Force in Chittagong. A US C-130 Hercules aircraft arrived in Chittagong for the joint exercise. Chittagong is located near the border of northeastern India and Myanmar, while St. Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal is close to the Strait of Malacca. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had alleged that the US planned to remove her after she refused to cede St. Martin’s Island.

Donald Trump has stated that the US is trying to regain control of the Bagram Airbase from the Taliban. The US President mentioned he is in talks with the Taliban. However, the Taliban has refused to hand over the base. The base was used for MQ-9 Reaper drone operations and other reconnaissance and attack aircraft. It is strategically important, being close to China, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia.

The US maintains an airbase in Okinawa, Japan, where approximately 50,000 troops are stationed. This includes the Yokosuka Naval Base and the Kadena Airbase. These bases serve as a strategic balance against China and North Korea. In South Korea, approximately 28,000 US soldiers are present.

In the Philippines, the US has increased its presence since 2023. Under the EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement), the US has access to nine military bases in the Philippines, including Luzon, Palawan, and Cagayan. Joint military exercises are held between the two countries every year.

In Thailand, the US does not have a permanent military base, but the Cobra Gold joint military exercise is conducted between the two countries. US combat aircraft and logistics sometimes operate from Thailand.

In Singapore, the US does not have a permanent military base, but the US P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft and Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) operate from Singapore ports. The Changi Naval Base provides logistical support to the US.