G-7 finalises West's withdrawal from Afghanistan

WHILE the G-7 was originally conceived in the 1970s to monitor developments in the world economy, Aug 24's meeting of Western leaders including Joe Biden showcased the body's often underappreciated importance as an international security lynchpin.

The G-7 - comprised of Japan, and key North American and European powers - agreed the outlines of a "road map" for future engagement with the Taliban and says it will insist on the safe passage of people who want to leave Afghanistan beyond Aug 31, even though the airlift from Kabul looks set to end on Tuesday.

The chair of this year's G-7 leadership meetings, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said Afghanistan's new leadership must guarantee through Aug 31 and beyond, safe passage for those who want to come out, and that the G-7 will use its limited remaining leverage - economic, diplomatic and political - to try to ensure this.