Former Khost Governor Says Handing Bagram Base to US Could Benefit Afghanistan
Haleem Fidaee, the former governor of Khost province during the republic era, stated that legally transferring Bagram Air Base to the United States could serve the interests of the Afghan people and pave the way for an important international partnership.
He warned that if the US and Afghanistan fail to reach an agreement regarding Bagram, this void would quickly be filled by Pakistan; a situation which, according to him, could lead to the loss of a significant political and security opportunity for Afghanistan.
These remarks come as Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US envoy for Afghan peace, recently said in an interview that reaching an agreement with the Taliban over Bagram and several other issues is possible. He emphasized that during the Doha negotiations, the Taliban initially rejected some points but became willing to resolve complex issues after dialogue.
Bagram Air Base, located in Parwan province, was the largest and most important US military base in Afghanistan and, according to reports, has been evacuated by foreign forces, especially American troops, since 2021.
However, the Taliban administration has so far insisted on their policy of not handing over Bagram to the United States; a stance which some experts believe could distance Afghanistan from constructive engagement with the international community and bring long-term political and security consequences.
