Both the UN and the US State Dept have called for the Taliban to form an inclusive government

They have to govern. They have to maintain economic and political relationships with the rest of the world, or risk being cut off.

A kinder and gentler version of the Taliban will still suck (especially for females), but it is now a world full of cell phones and social media.

The Taliban now have power. Not sure they want to take Afghanistan back to the Stone Age, and exist solely as a heroin supplier and a haven for terrorists. They have experienced some downsides going that route.

But, to be clear, it is the Taliban — tribal fundamentalists.

Time will tell.

the original mission (which brought us to Afghanistan in first first place) accomplished, even the price we paid is so high. If Afghan people don't have will to fight for the value we think is good, why bother?

Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/17/evacuation-flights-resume-as-biden-defends-afghanistan-pullout