United Kingdom
Profile
The United Kingdom largely aligns with European and other Western actors on issues related to Afghanistan. Initial anger and disillusionment with the US withdrawal and Taliban takeover has given way to a significant, leading effort to address important humanitarian issues in Afghanistan. The UK has taken the global lead on raising humanitarian and development assistance for Afghanistan, independently coordinating with other nations and working through international organizations, like the UN. UK policy differentiates slightly from the European standard through a stronger emphasis on security and international terrorism.
Key Interests & Priorities
1. Humanitarian Assistance
The UK appears primarily concerned with alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. They are leading the charge to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of financial aid. On March 30, 2022, the UK pledged 374 million USD for food assistance and other projects; they will also host a pledging summit on March 31, 2022. The UK also continues to support efforts by international organizations, including the UN, to establish reliable processes and networks for the delivery of essential humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.
2. Human Rights
The UK prioritizes the promotion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Multiple recent actions convey this priority, including the visit of Afghan women to the UK Houses of Parliament on International Women’s Day in early March 2022. On March 25, 2022, On March 25, 2022, the UK joined a number of other nations, including the US, France, and Germany, in condemning the Taliban decision to deny women a return to secondary education. To emphasize the point, British Foreign Minister Liz Truss joined a group of female Foreign Ministers from around the world in jointly condemning the Taliban decision. On March 2, 2022, UK Ambassador to the UN James Kariuki expressed concern about arrests of female activists and their families. Thus, women’s rights and gender equality represent a key interest for the UK.
3. International Terrorism
Like many in the region and around the world, the UK is concerned by the possibility that international terrorist organizations might find a haven in the Taliban’s Afghanistan. Britain has called on the international community to collaborate to prevent the growth of international terrorism in Afghanistan, specifically singled out China and Russia as important actors to have on board for this collaboration.
4. Inclusive Government
The UK has recognized that its strategic priorities in Afghanistan - not letting it become a haven for international terrorism and holding the Taliban accountable for their conduct and human rights - demand the creation of an inclusive and representative government. The UK has been utilizing economic, political, and diplomatic levers towards that effort. Moreover, the UK preconditions its diplomatic recognition on the behavior and undertakings of the Taliban on the above by carefully calibrating its actions to the choices the Taliban make and the actions they take.