Anglo-American relations during the withdrawal from Afghanistan

This article examines the impact of the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2020–2021 on Anglo-American relations using a chronological approach. It argues that this period represented a deviation from the transactional norm in the relationship—an exchange of support and advice for capability. In the case of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, from the initial American deal with the Taliban to the evacuations, London and Washington clashed over what to do and how best to do it due to differing interests, yet the overall relationship survived. There are three implications. First, the special relationship is transactional, but when the exchange of benefits ceases due to diverging interests, disputes occur until the exchange is restored. Second, the relationship survived despite the claims to the contrary. Third, the relationship appears to be more important to London than Washington.