The United States' departure from Afghanistan was negotiated directly with the Taliban, bypassing the government in Kabul. It opened the way to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan being restored more quickly than expected. Now the Taliban have to govern in the face of multiple challenges. An economic crisis is fueling a humanitarian one; the threat of Daesh looms; and a divided international community, still waiting for promises of openness to be kept, months after the return of the mullah-dominated regime, is withholding recognition.