In a resolute declaration of sovereignty, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has outright rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to reclaim control of the strategic Bagram Air Base, emphasizing that not a single meter of Afghan soil will be ceded to foreign forces. This firm stance, articulated amid escalating U.S. rhetoric, draws parallels to former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s iconic “Absolutely Not” refusal in 2021 to host American military bases on Pakistani territory, highlighting a shared regional resistance to perceived imperial overreach.
The controversy ignited when President Trump, in a September 20, 2025, statement, demanded the return of Bagram Air Base, warning of “bad things” if Afghanistan failed to comply. Trump described the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from the base as “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country,” underscoring its strategic value due to its proximity to China and its role in monitoring regional threats. Bagram, once the largest U.S. military facility in Afghanistan, served as a hub for operations during the 20-year war and remains a symbol of American influence in Central Asia.
Afghan officials swiftly dismissed the demand. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will not allow any foreign military presence on its soil,” invoking the 2020 Doha Agreement that mandated the full withdrawal of U.S. forces. This rejection aligns with Kabul’s consistent policy since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, prioritizing national independence over renewed entanglements with Washington. The response has been echoed across international media, with reports emphasizing Afghanistan’s non-negotiable stance on sovereignty.
This development resonates deeply in neighboring Pakistan, where it evokes memories of Imran Khan’s defiant posture. In a 2021 interview, Khan famously declared “Absolutely not” when asked about allowing U.S. bases for operations in Afghanistan post-withdrawal, arguing it would drag Pakistan into endless conflict and compromise its sovereignty. Khan’s position was rooted in a desire to break from decades of U.S.-Pakistan alliances that often prioritized American interests, including drone strikes and covert operations that strained regional relations.
Journalist and former soldier Adil Raja, in a series of posts on X, has highlighted this parallel, praising Afghanistan’s resolve while critiquing Pakistan’s current leadership. Raja noted that the Afghan government’s formal rejection confirms his prior reporting and serves as a lesson in “sovereignty and honor” for what he terms the “Punjabi mafia” controlling Pakistan.
افغان حکومت نے باقاعدہ طور پر امریکی صدر کی بگرام ائیربیس پر امریکی فوج بیجھنے سے متعلق خواہش کے بیان پر واضح انکار کردیا ہے، جو میری رپورٹنگ کی تصدیق ہے۔ پاکستانی اقتدار پر قابض پنجابی مافیا کو خودمختاری اور غیرتمندی کا سبق دینے پر افغان بھائیوں کاشکریہ https://t.co/9cAKALe9F0 https://t.co/vLkH4aNGKY
— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) September 21, 2025
In another post, he expressed certainty that the Taliban would never cede territory for U.S. troops, contrasting this with allegations that Pakistan’s “puppet Sharif government and Asim Yazeed” would surrender the country for minimal gains.
I am absolutely certain that the current Afghan government will never give up even an inch of its territory w.r.t. sovereignty for the presence of American troops on their land. But if Washington gives the puppet Sharif government and Asim Yazeed even a hint, they will hand over… pic.twitter.com/AHISUziBZn
— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) September 20, 2025
Raja reiterated, “It is only Imran Khan who has the audacity to look America in the eye and say ‘Absolutely Not’.” Similar sentiments appear in his Urdu posts and video reports, where he discusses Afghanistan’s “Absolutely Not” in the context of broader geopolitical maneuvers, including Saudi-Pakistan defense deals.
The Afghan rejection comes amid broader regional tensions. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists, a charge Kabul denies while pointing to cross-border issues originating from Pakistan. Analysts suggest Trump’s interest in Bagram stems from strategic concerns over China’s influence, with the base’s location ideal for surveillance and rapid response in Asia. However, the Taliban’s control since 2021 has transformed Bagram into a site for detaining alleged ISIS affiliates and a symbol of their governance.
International reactions have been mixed. While some U.S. hawks support Trump’s aggressive posture, critics argue it risks reigniting conflict in a war-weary region. For Afghanistan, the stance reinforces its isolationist policy, focusing on internal stability and relations with neighbors like Pakistan and China rather than re-engaging with the West.
As Raja discussed in a recent livestream, this episode underscores the fragility of sovereignty in South Asia, where external pressures often clash with national pride. The echoes of Khan’s “Absolutely Not” in Afghanistan’s response signal a potential shift toward greater regional autonomy, challenging U.S. dominance in the post-withdrawal era. Yet, with Trump’s threats looming, the risk of escalation remains, testing the resolve of both Kabul and its allies.
Selling Nucs | Shaheed Ya Halak? | Afghans Says No! | Live with Adil Raja https://t.co/Ju5xWgOOMI
— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) September 21, 2025
