U.S. considering returning to Bagram for counter-terror operations in negotiations with the Taliban, reports The Wall Street Journal
The United States is currently in discussions with the Afghan government regarding a potential deal that could establish economic and political ties on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests. The negotiations, headed by Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler, include a potential prisoner exchange, a possible economic deal, and a security component.
However, it is important to note that Afghanistan is not open to any deal that includes a US military presence. This stance has been echoed by Afghan foreign ministry official Zakir Jalal, who emphasized that Afghanistan and the United States should engage without any US military presence in Afghanistan.
The discussions come in the wake of the 2021 withdrawal of American forces from Bagram air base, which was the main base for American forces following the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Islamist Taliban movement took over the base after the withdrawal, and the Taliban administration, which seized power in 2021, is not recognized by Washington.
In a bid to support regional peace and stability, China has expressed its support for all parties to play a constructive role in the region. Lin Jian, a spokesperson of China's foreign ministry, urged all parties to refrain from stoking tensions and creating confrontation, and stated that the future and destiny of Afghanistan should be held in the hands of the Afghan people.
Moreover, Lin Jian reiterated China's respect for Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. This stance is significant, as President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to regain control of Bagram air base due to its strategic location near China.
The negotiations are not without controversy. Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US special envoy for Afghanistan, also participated in the meeting. Khalilzad's involvement could potentially complicate matters, given his controversial tenure and the criticism he faced during his time in office.
It is worth noting that in 2021, former US President Donald Trump publicly mentioned having conducted or initiated negotiations with Afghanistan regarding the reestablishment of a small US military base at Bagram Airfield. However, no specific Afghan or US negotiators' names were reported, and the Afghan military and the Taliban rejected these claims and any deal for the base's return.
As the negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be reached that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. One thing is certain: the future of US-Afghanistan relations and the fate of Bagram air base are topics of great interest and importance in the region and beyond.
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