Committees

Government policy on Afghanistan

Inquiry

International forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, 20 years after the US-led invasion. The Taliban quickly gained control of the country, taking Kabul on 15 August and triggering an immense effort to evacuate UK nationals and others eligible for protection. This inquiry will examine the FCDO’s role in the withdrawal, including how effectively it planned and coordinated with other powers. It will also look ahead to the objectives of the UK’s future relationship with Afghanistan, including the security, counter-terrorism, human rights and humanitarian impact of the Taliban’s takeover, and the implications for wider UK foreign policy.

Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Sunday 31 October 2021.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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First report - Missing in action: UK leadership and the withdrawal from Afghanistan
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
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HC 169
Report
Response to this report
Second Special Report - Missing in action: UK leadership and the withdrawal from Afghanistan: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report
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341KB
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HC 630
Special Report
Second Special Report - Missing in action: UK leadership and the withdrawal from Afghanistan: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
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341KB
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HC 630
Special Report

Correspondence

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Correspondence from the Permanent Under-Secretary relating to the FCDO’s internal ‘Lessons Learned’ review from the Afghanistan crisis, dated 08/02/2023
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
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Correspondence
Correspondence from the Permanent Under-Secretary relating to the FCDO’s internal Afghanistan Crisis ‘Lessons Learned’ review, dated 09/03/2022
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
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Correspondence
Correspondence from the National Security Adviser relating to the evacuation of Nowzad staff from Afghanistan, dated 28/03/2022
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
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Correspondence

Oral evidence transcripts

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25 April 2022
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
Witnesses Sir Stephen Lovegrove (National Security Adviser at Cabinet Office)
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Oral Evidence
21 March 2022
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
Witnesses Sir Philip Barton KCMG OBE (Permanent Under-Secretary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), and Nigel Casey MVO (Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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Oral Evidence
25 January 2022
Inquiry Government policy on Afghanistan
Witnesses Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Nigel Casey MVO (Director for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran Directorate at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Anonymised (AFG0056)
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Anonymised (AFG0057)
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International Rescue Committee (Advocacy Director at International Rescue Committee) (AFG0055)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

  • Email: fac@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 4050 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 2996 or facmedia@parliament.uk (media enquiries)
  • Address: Foreign Affairs Committee | House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA