The messy exit of Western military forces from Afghanistan and the swift takeover of the country by the Taliban has stunned officials in Britain and strained the U.K.’s “special relationship” with its most important ally, the United States. London’s powerlessness, so far, to change Washington’s course also is a blow to U.K. hopes that an assertive “Global Britain” will be a major global player in the wake of its exit from the European Union. The main stumbling block ahead of an emergency summit of Group of Seven leaders on Tuesday is a deadline for the U.S. effort to evacuate thousands of Americans, Afghans and others from Kabul. U.S. troops are scheduled to end their mission on Aug. 31, and Britain wants an extension. President Joe Biden left open that possibility, but the Taliban call the date a “red line,” saying that prolonging the American presence would “provoke a reaction.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the virtual G-7 meeting in hope of having some impact on the chaotic course of events. Britain currently holds the presidency of the club of wealthy nations. Johnson and Biden spoke by telephone Monday, and Johnson’s office said the leaders “agreed to continue working together to ensure those who are eligible to leave are able to, including after the initial phase of the evacuation has ended.” It did not elaborate. British officials acknowledge the limits of their influence, saying the airlift will end when American troops depart. “We have previously spoken to other NATO countries about staying, and that didn’t prove to be a viable option,” said Johnson’s spokesman, Max Blain. “We are going to need to leave the airport at the same time as the Americans.” Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who has called the U.S. deal with the Taliban that set the Aug. 31 deadline a “mistake,” struck an almost pleading tone, saying that if Biden extended the operation “even by a day or two, that will give us a day or two more to evacuate people.” “Because we are really down to hours now, not weeks, and we have to make sure we exploit every minute to get people out.” About 1,000 British soldiers are stationed at Kabul’s airport, alongside about 6,000 American troops, to manage the evacuation. Senior U.K. military officers have expressed anger over the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, saying it exposes the hollowness of the trans-Atlantic “special relationship” — a phrase used since World War II to stress the bonds of history, friendship and shared diplomatic interests between London and Washington. More than 150,000 British troops served in Afghanistan in the years after the U.S.-led 2001 invasion — the largest contingent after the Americans — and 457 died in the campaign. Biden had warm words about the alliance when he and Johnson met for the first time at a G-7 summit in England in June. “We affirmed the special relationship — it’s not said lightly — the special relationship between our people,” Biden said. Although the two leaders struck a positive tone when they met, they have very different temperaments. Biden staunchly opposed Britain’s exit from the European Union that was championed by the populist, crowd-pleasing Johnson, and once called him a “physical and emotional clone” of former President Donald Trump. Britain’s lack of clout with Washington underscores the fragility of […]

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