Taliban rejects Trump's bid to take over Afghan air base once controlled by U.S.

In August last year, the Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover at Bagram with a grand military display of abandoned U.S. hardware, catching the eye of the White House. Mr. Trump last week, during his state visit to the United Kingdom, hinted that the Taliban, who have struggled with an economic crisis, international legitimacy, internal rifts and rival militant groups since their return to power in 2021, could be game to allow the U.S. military to return. They gave no details of the detainee swap, and the White House did not comment on the meeting in Kabul or the results described in a Taliban statement.