This week in Australian foreign affairs: statements on Afghanistan, Pfizer arriving from Poland, Cheng Lei, and more.

The Taliban have taken over Kabul, and Afghanistan generally. This is first and foremost due to the political failure of Afghan governments at all levels over the past 20 years.

The always fragile hope for peace that many Afghans have had, has been dealt a significant blow. What this looks like for young peacebuilders’ work going forward is uncertain.

August 19 is World Humanitarian Day. This is an occasion to honour humanitarian action, celebrate the strength of communities, acknowledge aid workers, and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives or been injured in the course of their work.

The recent move towards women’s incorporation into the US military draft has been hailed as promoting greater gender equality. But does this represent a true win for women?

The Olympic Games provide a platform to celebrate athletic achievement. They can also be a platform to showcase inclusion and create broader social impact.

The Trump administration was oft praised for its increased engagement with Taiwan. Looking back, we should ask whether this translated to meaningful engagement or was little more than an opportunistic means of criticising the administration's perceived opponents.

In this emergency episode of Australia in the World, Allan and Darren try to make sense of the events surrounding the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. They look at the situation analytically but also on a more personal level.

American and allied leaders will have to account for this sham withdrawal morally. If the pullout gets dragged out as it seems it will, there may be a political price to pay as well.

Roger Garside predicts that China’s strongman leader Xi Jinping will soon be removed from office in an internal Communist Party coup. While highly debatable, Garside’s new book highlights the potential for and costs of political instability in China.