Trump–Islamic Emirate Talks: Bagram Return Could Signal Shift in Relations

·

Bagram (file photo)

Tolo News: The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that Trump’s unexpected announcement that he seeks to reclaim the Bagram base may be part of a broader diplomatic effort to normalize relations with the Islamic Emirate. The newspaper also wrote that these talks, led by Adam Boehler, the U.S.’s special envoy for hostage affairs, include potential prisoner exchanges, a possible economic agreement, and a security component. Click here to read more (external link).

More

A Reflection on Khalilzad’s Clash with Hekmatyar

·

8am: Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Peace, has recently lashed out at Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan, calling him the “Butcher of Kabul” in a post shared in Persian, Pashto, and English on X. Hekmatyar, for his part, had previously described Khalilzad as the “invisible president of Afghanistan.” Khalilzad’s latest remarks came in direct response to that jibe. Moreover, reacting to Khalilzad’s criticism of jihadist leaders, Hekmatyar stated: “A retired foreign official has no right to insult the mujahideen and jihadist leaders, especially in defense of one faction.” By “faction,” Hekmatyar was clearly referring to the Taliban, whom Khalilzad has repeatedly praised. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan thrashes Maldives 10–1 in Futsal Asian Cup

·

Ariana: Afghanistan national futsal team delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating Maldives 10–1 in a thrilling match at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers in Yangon, Myanmar. Click here to read more (external link).

More Afghan Sports News 

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Calls Afghanistan A Hostile State

·

Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday accused the Taliban of backing militants targeting Islamabad and declared Afghanistan a “hostile country.” In an interview with Geo News, Asif said Afghan soil continues to be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. He recalled Pakistan’s involvement in the Soviet war of the 1980s and the US-led intervention after 2001, arguing that Islamabad is still suffering from their consequences. Asif also said Pakistan expects its Arab allies to respond to militant attacks launched from Afghan territory. Without naming Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, he accused some political factions of colluding with the Taliban and having “blood on their hands.” Click here to read more (external link).

Related

US revokes sanctions waiver on Iran’s Chabahar Port

·

A ship at Chabahar Port (file photo, Press TV)

Ariana: The United States has decided to revoke the sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar Port, effective September 29, exposing individuals involved in its operations to penalties under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA), the State Department announced. The port also emerged as a vital gateway for India’s regional outreach and humanitarian efforts in the past. In 2023, it was used to send 20,000 tonnes of wheat aid to Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan Knocked Out of Asia Cup 2025 After Defeat to Sri Lanka

·

Khaama: Afghanistan crashed out of the Asia Cup 2025 after a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka, who advanced to the Super Four with an unbeaten record. Sri Lanka booked their place in the Super Four of the 2025 Asia Cup after defeating Afghanistan by six wickets at Zayed Stadium on Thursday. For Afghanistan, the early exit marks a disappointing end to their campaign, raising questions about batting depth and consistency in high-pressure contests. Click here to read more (external link).

Trump Says US Seeks To ‘Get Back’ Bagram Base Amid Taliban Rule

·

Donald Trump

By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi
September 19, 2025

President Donald Trump said the United States is attempting to get Bagram Airfield back from Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, citing the extremist group’s need for US help and the facility’s proximity to China’s nuclear assets.

“We’re trying to get it back, by the way, that could be a little breaking news,” Trump said on September 18 during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London.

“We’re trying to get it back because they [Taliban rulers] need things from us,” he said without being specific.

“But one of the reasons we want that base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons. So a lot of things are happening,” Trump added.

Trump in May also lamented the loss of the sprawling base some 40 kilometers outside of Kabul, saying at the time that it was “occupied” by China.

Neither Trump nor US officials said what was meant by the possibility to “get it back” or if any negotiations had taken place.

The Taliban did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks.

The Taliban rulers, beset by unrest, natural disasters, poverty, and terrorist attacks, have attempted to improve ties to the global community, although Russia is the only country to so far establish diplomatic relations.

Western nations have said the country must first improve its human rights record, especially in regard to treatment of women and girls.

Bagram was once the largest US military base in Afghanistan, but it was handed over in July 2021 to the previous Afghan government — weeks before the chaotic withdrawal of US troops and the eventual takeover of the country by the Taliban.

The base, built by the Soviets in the 1950s, saw more than 100,000 US troops pass through its compound during the peak of the US military’s involvement in the country.

The Soviets withdrew in 1989, opening the floodgates to a civil war that killed tens of thousands of civilians and eventually brought to the Taliban, who overran Kabul in 1996, to power for the first time.

The US administration during Trump’s first term announced the eventual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

But it was during the administration of President Joe Biden that the pullout actually took place, with ensuing chaos and the death of at least 13 US troops marking the end of America’s 20-year presence in the country following the earlier removal of the Taliban.

“We were going to leave Afghanistan, but we were going to leave it with strength and dignity,” Trump said. “We were going to keep Bagram, the big air base — one of the biggest air bases in the world — we gave it to them for nothing.”

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

Related

Taliban Leader Sought Clerics’ Ruling To Ban Smartphones Before Internet Shutdown

·

Afghanistan International: Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada attempted to block the use of smartphones in Afghanistan before ordering the shutdown of wireless internet, sources told Afghanistan International. According to the sources, about a year ago in Kandahar, Akhundzada asked the Taliban’s council of clerics to find a “religious justification” for banning smartphones. The aim, they said, was to prevent criticism of the Taliban, halt negative publicity and silence voices the group described as “corrupt.” A source in Kandahar said the clerics responded that banning smartphones was impossible because millions of dollars had been invested in the sector. They argued the move would cause severe disruption to daily life, commerce and education. Click here to read more (external link).

Related