Inside the embassy run by exiles

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on diplomacy in exile – and life under the Taliban for the people of Afghanistan.

Oct 15, 2025, updated Oct 15, 2025

When the Taliban retook Afghanistan in August 2021, the country’s embassy in Canberra stayed open.

It’s an embassy in exile – staffed by diplomats from the former administration – and advocating on behalf of Afghans here in Australia.

Until now, there have been 17 embassies of its kind around the world – in countries that don’t formally recognise the Taliban.

But recently, Germany decided to expel its embassy’s exiled staff and instead invite representatives of the Taliban regime.

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on diplomacy in exile – and life under the Taliban for the people of Afghanistan.

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