Australia considering future return to Afghanistan to monitor Taliban resurgence

Less than a month after abandoning its Kabul post, Australia is considering re-establishing a presence in Afghanistan to monitor the resurgence of the Taliban. Key points: The ABC has been told the Foreign Minister remains inclined to returning in the next few months No formal planning is underway but a return could involve stationing officers in ally headquarters The last Australian officials left Afghanistan in mid-June The last Australian diplomats, military and intelligence officers quietly left the war-torn country on June 18 despite serious doubts about the strategic wisdom of the retreat. A spokesman for Senator Payne said Australia's diplomatic arrangements in Afghanistan "were always expected to be temporary, with the intention of resuming a permanent presence once circumstances permit." Troops leave Afghanistan Photo shows An Australian solider wearing a face mask stands on a tarmac as the sun sets behind him The recent departure of Australia's final defence personnel comes amid reports American troops could complete their exit "within days", and as Taliban fighters continue to retake districts across Afghanistan. At the time, Senator Payne was in Washington DC, just days after visiting Kabul where she had met President Ashraf Ghani and "affirmed Australia's support for the Afghanistan government and people during this time of change for the country".