Afghanistan: what did 20 years achieve and what should the UK do now?
The UK\u2019s two decade-long campaign in Afghanistan ended this summer with the withdrawal of British troops and diplomatic personnel from Kabul. A mission that began with the overthrow of the Taliban ended with the Taliban returning to power.\n\nWhat did the UK\u2019s 20-year stay in Afghanistan accomplish? Should politicians or the military take the blame for its failures? And how should Afghans and the international community approach the next phase of Taliban rule?\n\nTo discuss these questions the Institute for Government was delighted to bring together:\n\nJack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary (2001\u201305)\nHasina Safi, Afghanistan's acting Minister for Women (May 2020 \u2013 August 2021)\nTobias Ellwood MP, Chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee\nThe discussion was chaired by Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government.