All indications are that the states neighboring Afghanistan are preparing to accord recognition to the Taliban government. The meeting of regional states and Taliban officials in the so-called Moscow Format on October 20 signaled that the Taliban government is a compelling reality and constructive engagement is needed.
A week is a long time in politics. The foreign-minister-level conference in Tehran on Wednesday with the participation of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries is sure to deliberate on formal diplomatic ties with the Taliban government. Unsurprisingly, the Taliban have not been invited to the event.