Why did we fail in Afghanistan, and why does it matter?

On 15 August 2021, the world watched in horror as Kabul fell to the Taliban, 20 years after western-backed Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

How did 20 years of trying to build a modern democratic society in Afghanistan come to nothing?

Laurie Bristow – author of 'Kabul: Final Call: The Inside Story of the Withdrawal from Afghanistan, August 2021' – will talk about what happened in August 2021 and why it matters. Laurie will talk about the looming collapse of Afghanistan as western military forces pulled out, the political intrigues among the Afghan elite, the indifference of western politicians, and the evacuation from Kabul.

There will be an opportunity to buy a copy of his book.

Free but with a retiring collection for the work of Amnesty International.

The event will be live-streamed.