Also discussed in this episode: bilateral relations with China for both New Zealand and Australia and Australia's recent decision to scrap the Belt and Road Initiative - to Beijing's displeasure.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan; the cancellation of four arrangements between Victoria and foreign governments; Frances Adamson at the Asia Society; and more.

America’s decision to pull out its remaining troops from Afghanistan and thus facilitate a probable Taliban military take-over is bad news for Pakistan and the region in the long-term. It may result in a resurgence of terrorism, rise in refugees, and tensions across borders.

It is now 20 years since the routing of the Taliban government following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US. The withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan represents the failure by stakeholders in finding a durable political solution. 

Now is the time for those who like to play war games or develop notional military strategies. There have seldom been so many rich pickings from which to choose.

The unexpected election results in Peru signalled voter disillusionment. Pedro Castillo, a rural schoolteacher, and radical left trade unionist, didn’t appear in the polls a month before the election but got the highest percentage of votes.

In Timor-Leste, floods and landslides after cyclone Seroja, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have created a dangerous dynamic. The next stage of the crisis will be hard to navigate as poverty-stricken Timorese struggle with fresh water, health services, and sufficient nutrition. 

Deportation policy is a regional dilemma that won’t be solved by Australia and New Zealand trading diplomatic insults. Both nations must recognise their complicity in a system of regional dislocation and their joint responsibility to address it.

With the threat of right-wing extremism accelerating due to the pandemic, understanding the gendered element of the threat is essential countering radicalisation. Misogynist rhetoric is not only pushing men to the far right, but women too.

Two years after the fall of Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir, the future is still unclear. There is a chance that Sudan can avoid a repeat of the past tragedies.