Key Points
- Donald Trump calls the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan the “most shameful moment” in American history, sharply criticizing military leadership.
- Trump singles out the abandonment of Bagram Airbase and billions in military equipment as strategic blunders.
- He claims the U.S. should have retained Bagram, now reportedly under Chinese influence, due to its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities.
- Trump argues flying equipment out would have been cheaper than leaving it for adversaries.
- Security experts warn that permanent U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is untenable due to strong local opposition, despite America’s global influence.
Washington D.C.: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy over the U.S. military’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, labeling it a “colossal mistake” and “the most shameful moment in the history of our country.” Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Washington, Trump sharply criticized the decisions made by top U.S. military commanders, particularly former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, for what he described as a reckless and poorly planned exit.
Equipment and Bagram Airbase: “A Strategic Loss”
Trump’s main grievance centered on the abandonment of vast amounts of U.S. military equipment—ranging from aircraft to vehicles and ammunition—left behind as American forces departed. He argued that every piece, “every screw, every bolt, every nail,” should have been recovered or destroyed to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
“They parade with this equipment every year, and we left it all there,” Trump lamented, referring to Taliban fighters now seen displaying U.S. military hardware.
He further criticized the decision to leave behind expensive aircraft, suggesting it would have been “much cheaper” to fly them to neighboring countries like Pakistan or India than to abandon them.
The Bagram Airbase Controversy
Trump highlighted the loss of Bagram Airbase as a pivotal strategic error. He claimed that, had he been in charge, the U.S. would have retained control of the base, which he described as “one of the most powerful runways in the world,” constructed with reinforced concrete to accommodate any aircraft. Trump warned that Bagram’s proximity to China’s nuclear facilities makes its loss even more consequential, alleging that the base is now under Chinese influence.
“This was just an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” Trump emphasized, underscoring the base’s strategic value.
Security Experts: No Easy Answers in Afghanistan
While Trump’s comments have reignited debate, security experts caution that Afghanistan’s history and political landscape make any long-term foreign military presence highly contentious. They note that, despite America’s superpower status and influence in other Islamic nations, Afghan society has consistently resisted foreign occupation. Experts advise that U.S. policymakers must recognize the deep-rooted opposition among Afghans to any outside military presence and reconsider interventionist strategies accordingly.
Donald Trump’s renewed criticism of the Afghanistan withdrawal has put the spotlight back on the decisions made during America’s exit, particularly the loss of strategic assets and military equipment. As debate continues over the lessons learned, experts stress the importance of understanding local dynamics and the limits of foreign military power in Afghanistan.
