President Biden’s decision to finally withdraw US forces from Afghanistan was the correct decision and certainly overdue. However, the lack of preparation to do so orderly and safely was yet another terrible mistake in a string of mistakes that have plagued the US from day one.

Australia’s recent closure of its embassy in Kabul, and the withdrawal of all US forces from Afghanistan by 11 September 2021, casts a deep shadow over Afghanistan’s future prospects. In this paper, leading expert on Afghanistan, William Maley, examines the implications for the Afghan nation and its people.

This report explores the evolution of the humanitarian system in Indonesia. It examines key events and turning points in the country’s progression towards locally led disaster management and humanitarian action.

A coalition of refugee organisations has condemned the Australian government’s decision to slash support to people seeking asylum in the 2020-21 Budget. This decision, they say, puts over 100 000 people, including around 16 000 children, at further risk of homelessness and destitution.

Effective communication and community engagement (CCE) is a critical component of the response to COVID-19 in humanitarian settings. This briefing note makes a number of recommendations to strengthen collective approaches to CCE.