G7 leaders grapple with situation in Afghanistan, an afterthought not so long ago

At the G7 meeting in June, coronavirus and climate change were the most important topics. At Tuesday’s virtual meeting, Afghanistan will top the agenda

Boris Johnson is now reconvening the leaders for crisis talks on Afghanistan amid widespread unhappiness about Joe Biden’s handling of the US withdraw

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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: PA / DPA

Published: 5:01am, 24 Aug 2021Updated: 12:34pm, 30 Aug 2021

Two months ago, the leaders of the world’s seven major industrialised democracies met at the height of summer on England’s southeast coast. It was a happy occasion: the first in-person summit of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in two years due to the coronavirus pandemic and the welcomed appearance of US President Joe Biden and his “America is back” message on matters ranging from comity to Covid-19 to climate change.

On Tuesday, those same seven leaders will meet again in virtual format confronted by a resurgence in the pandemic, more dire news on climate change and, most immediately and perhaps importantly, Afghanistan. The country’s burgeoning refugee crisis, the collapse of its government and fears of a resurgence in Afghan-based terrorism have left the G7 allies scrambling and threaten the unity of the bloc.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the host of the Cornwall summit, is now reconvening the leaders for crisis talks on Afghanistan amid widespread unhappiness about Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Complaints have come from Britain, France, Germany and others in the G7, which includes only one non-Nato member, Japan.

From left, Jill Biden, US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Carrie Johnson ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall in June. Photo: PA / Abaca Press / TNS

Despite Biden’s April announcement that the US would completely withdraw from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September 11, attacks, the central Asian nation was almost an afterthought when the G7 met in June in the English resort town of Cornwall.

Covid-19, China and climate change dominated the agenda. And expectations for Biden’s impending summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin were the pressing topics.