Afghanistan does not appear anywhere in the newly released National Security Strategy issued by the administration of US President Donald Trump. This marks a significant shift after two decades in which the country featured prominently in Washington’s foreign and security policy.
The 33-page document focuses mainly on restricting migration, countering China, deterring Russia, and strengthening US homeland security. South Asia and the Middle East receive only brief references.
A review of earlier National Security Strategy papers shows that in 2010 Afghanistan was one of Washington’s top security priorities and, after Iraq, appeared most frequently in the text. Its prominence declined sharply in the 2017 and 2022 editions, and it was removed from the list of priority countries. In the 2025 version, Afghanistan has disappeared entirely.
In recent months, Trump repeatedly commented on the Bagram air base and suggested the need to “take it back”, remarks that triggered strong reactions from the Taliban and concern among regional states. Despite those earlier statements, the president has remained silent on Bagram for nearly two months, and the new strategy assigns no role or priority to Afghanistan.
The National Security Strategy, issued by each US administration, outlines the government’s vision for protecting national security, its political and military priorities, major threats, and its approach to global engagement.
