ISHFAQULLAH SHAWL
Bagram Air Base is more than just a military installation — it is a living monument to Afghanistan’s decades-long struggle with foreign intervention, regional geopolitics, and military ambition. Its story intertwines with the ambitions of two superpowers, the resistance of Afghan fighters, and the shifting global strategies that have continuously reshaped the region.
The origins of Bagram trace back to the 1950s, when the Soviet Union helped construct the airfield as part of its broader effort to expand influence in Afghanistan. The base, set against sweeping valleys and snow-covered peaks, was a symbol of Soviet commitment to the country. In 1959, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower even visited the installation — an early sign that Afghanistan, strategically located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, was attracting attention from competing global powers.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Bagram became a core operational hub. Hundreds of aircraft took off and landed there throughout the USSR-Afghan war, with the base housing thousands of troops and large volumes of military hardware. During this period, Bagram was not just a staging ground — it was a symbol of Soviet dominance. Yet despite the power projection, Afghan resistance proved resilient. By 1989, the Soviet military withdrew, leaving behind damaged infrastructure and a fractured nation. With the collapse of the USSR shortly thereafter, the once-imposing base fell into a state of neglect and decay.
Throughout the 1990s, Afghanistan was torn apart by civil conflict. Bagram Air Base, abandoned and battered, soon became a frontline area between warring factions. The Taliban, controlling Kabul to the south, clashed with the Northern Alliance, entrenched in the mountains to the north. The runways and hangars that once served as a symbol of superpower presence were now punctured by shelling and crumbled by neglect. Watchtowers that once housed Soviet snipers became crumbling battlements in a domestic struggle for control.
Then came September 11, 2001 — the day that would once again bring Bagram onto the world stage. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush accused Al-Qaeda of orchestrating the tragedy and identified Afghanistan, then ruled by the Taliban, as the organization’s sanctuary. The U.S. and its NATO allies launched a massive military offensive, quickly taking control of strategic locations — including Bagram.
Under American control, Bagram was transformed. What had been a damaged Soviet-era relic was rebuilt into the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan. The base grew into a mini-city, complete with barracks, satellite communications hubs, fuel depots, medical facilities, and even familiar U.S. comforts — including fast-food outlets and recreation zones. A second, longer runway was constructed to accommodate heavy aircraft, making it a critical gateway for military logistics and troop deployments.
However, Bagram was not merely a logistical stronghold — it also became infamous for other reasons. In the early years of the war, the CIA operated detention facilities inside the base, where suspected militants were held for interrogation. Many rights organizations described these locations as “black sites,” alleging harsh treatment and prolonged detention without trial. Years later, even U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledged that abuses had occurred there. For many Afghans and observers abroad, Bagram came to symbolize not just military power, but also the darker dimensions of the post-9/11 security apparatus.
Over time, the base hosted tens of thousands of military personnel. Temperatures in winter plunged to –29°C, yet soldiers stationed there built routines, communities, and rhythms of life amidst conflict. The base became a destination for U.S. presidents, military commanders, diplomats, and journalists. Celebrities also made morale-boosting visits — performers like Robin Williams and Jay Leno, and musicians such as Kid Rock, entertained the troops. However, Bagram was never immune to violence. In 2007, while U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was visiting Kabul, a suicide bomber struck near the base, killing over 20 people.
After two decades of war, political negotiations and shifting objectives eventually led to the decision to withdraw U.S. and NATO forces. In 2021, international troops vacated Bagram — and the base swiftly fell into Taliban hands. Along with the installation, a massive stockpile of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, drones, and equipment was left behind. This development triggered global concern, particularly among neighboring countries like Pakistan, which reported an uptick in attacks using U.S.-manufactured firearms now circulating among militant groups.
Today, Bagram Air Base remains a point of international speculation and strategic commentary. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, among others, has hinted at re-establishing American presence at the base. Some analysts believe the move would aim to retrieve abandoned military assets and counter extremist groups operating across the region. Others argue that Washington may be positioning itself to counter China’s growing influence in Central Asia, potentially using Afghanistan as a geopolitical pressure point.
Many political observers caution that any U.S. attempt to return to Bagram could risk repeating historical miscalculations. The Soviet Union entered Afghanistan confident in its ability to exert control — and left after a costly and demoralizing decade. The United States came with promises of nation-building and counter-terrorism — and withdrew amid controversy, leaving behind an uncertain legacy.
The modern geopolitical landscape is far more complex than in the 1980s or early 2000s. Regional powers such as China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and India now have vested interests in Afghanistan’s political and economic trajectory. The Taliban, for their part, govern a country dramatically different from the one they inherited in the 1990s, with greater international visibility, more advanced communication networks, and more sophisticated regional diplomacy.
Looking forward, the future of Bagram Air Base remains uncertain. Will it become a cornerstone of Taliban military power? Could it once again serve as a launchpad for international operations? Or will it slowly fade into a symbolic relic of a painful era?
Whatever the future holds, the legacy of Bagram endures. It is a place where the ambitions of powerful nations collided with the resilience of the Afghan people — a space marked by war, power, abandonment, and memory. And as Afghanistan continues navigating its future, Bagram stands as a visible reminder of the past — a cautionary tale of superpower overreach and the enduring impact of foreign intervention on a wounded nation.
The Writer is a regular column writer and can be reached at Ishfaq@journalist.com
