Leaders' Call Scheduled For 1430BST (0930ET, 1530CET), Biden Speaks @ 1200ET

The G7 leaders videoconference to discuss the situation in Afghanistan takes place at 1430BST (0930ET, 1530CET) [contrary to the Political Risk Week Ahead which stated the call was due at 1330BST].

• European G7 leaders UK PM Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel believed to be the two heads of gov't most keen on extending the deadline for evacuating individuals from Kabul beyond the 31 August date set by the Biden administration in the US.
• However, expectations for an extension of this deadline are low, with UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warning that there are "hours, not weeks" to get people out of Kabul, and the Taliban holding firm that they will not allow Western forces to stay unmolested at the airport beyond the end of the month.
• Following the call, President Biden is expected to deliver remarks at 1200ET (1700BST, 1800CET), while European Commission and Council Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel speak beforehand at 1700CET (1100ET, 1600BST).
• Before the call, the chairs of the various G7 member state parliamentary foreign affairs committees have called on the leaders to avoid unilateral talks with the Taliban, instead waiting until all members have agreed to discussions with the group.