Australia Closing Afghanistan Embassy at End of Week Due to Security Concerns as U.S. Troops Withdraw On 5/25/21 at 8:58 AM EDT Australia is temporarily closing its embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, later this week due to security concerns as U.S. and NATO troops withdraw from the country. Dave Sharma, an Australian lawmaker and former diplomat, said that the embassy closure is "temporary and really related to the ability to secure our staff and personnel when our defense contingent leaves." "Whatever we need to do in the short term to protect our people, of course, I support, but longer-term I think this is a relationship we should and must be in for the long haul," Sharma said in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp.