Former NSA Bolton Regrets US Exit From Bagram Airbase In Afghanistan

John Bolton, former US National Security Adviser, expressed regret over the US's departure from the Bagram airbase in an interview with Afghanistan International.

He labelled the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan a "catastrophic mistake."

Bolton, who served under former President Donald Trump, criticised both Trump's and Joe Biden's administrations for their approaches to the negotiations with the Taliban.

Bolton pointed out that the US withdrawal has opened opportunities for regional powers like Iran, China, and Russia to assert influence in Afghanistan. He termed Trump’s negotiations with the Taliban a "mistake," one which Biden repeated.

Bolton also mentioned Trump's recent statement about negotiation with the Taliban and breaking a deal to takeover Bagram airbase once he gets elected as the next president of the United States and stressed that Trump acknowledges that he made a mistake in negotiating with the Taliban and is concerned about it.

He advocated for a complete overhaul of the Taliban regime and the establishment of a responsible political system in Afghanistan.

Citing the Taliban as a danger, Bolton warned against trusting them. He argued that their harbouring of international terrorists poses a threat to the US and its allies and emphasised the group's extremist agenda. Bolton said that he hopes the US will refrain from recognising the Taliban, citing their breach of commitments to Afghanistan and the US.

Regarding the possibility of the US troops returning to Afghanistan, Bolton said that he hopes that the Republican party, having a responsible candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, will reject the agreement with the Taliban and recognise the resistance against the group in Afghanistan.