"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is thousands of years old. Its survival suggests it has some importance. Who really knows what will come from a new Taliban Afghanistan. "Hoping for the best" is a flimsy option but one America in search of the comfortable and no patience for history or future will likely adopt. As odius to our senses the Taliban are, we would be wise to get and remain as close to them as we possibly can. Meaning quickly and unequivocally recognizing them as the new leaders of Afghanistan and pushing for as much contact as possible. This is not an intuitive reaction but will get us somehere better placed to knowing what they are thinking -- and what is likely to happen in regards to the world and America.

Good helpful article Daniel Silverberg. Many Thanks.