Afghanistan committee  I will ask the assistant deputy minister, Mr. Thoppil, to answer that question concerning our department's position on a geographic region. I prefer that he answer you.

Afghanistan committee  Can I just ask you to clarify your question, please?

Afghanistan committee  Okay, sorry. I just want to know if you mean the risk to Canada of bringing refugees out?

Afghanistan committee  I think it's very important. This is sort of IRCC's field, but let's make sure that we screen carefully and that we provide protection to those who require it, and that we maintain a focus on the national security needs as well.

Afghanistan committee  The Taliban represents the threat inasmuch as it has a fundamentalist ideology that is very anti-women's rights. It's also a very dangerous regime from an anti-terrorism perspective. The other thing that's important to keep in mind is that it's a volatile and dangerous situation, where several violent extremist organizations are also on the ground and active in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan committee  It's a very complicated question. We work very closely with Five Eyes partners and a range of other intelligence partners that monitor specifically those situations and provide ongoing reporting. As to whether or not the Taliban is likely to become a safe haven, I think is going to be as a result of a range of factors.

Afghanistan committee  I would suggest that is a question for military intelligence. The degree to which they were in a position to overtake the country was something that took, I think, everybody by surprise. On the timing, certainly ADM Thoppil may have more to say about this. The speed with which the U.S. departure from Afghanistan converted into a situation where the Taliban were in control surprised, I think, the entire world.