Taliban to be tested in government

The rule of law and human rights protections have taken root internationally as universal values that should be observed no matter what governing systems countries have in place.

Respecting these principles and normalizing the functions of Afghanistan are conditions the country's new government will have to meet for foreign countries to recognize its legitimacy.

The Islamist Taliban hold power for the first time in 20 years. The previous regime was notorious for its oppression of women. It is believed that the Taliban still maintain ties with terrorist organizations and continue drug trafficking and other criminal acts.

The Taliban have insisted there are differences compared to the regime of 20 years ago and emphasized their commitment to forming an "inclusive government" that would include a wide range of people, such as women and senior officials of the previous government.

However, many senior Taliban veterans were appointed to Cabinet posts in the interim government and no women were included. It is hard to say this Cabinet represents the changes claimed by the Taliban.

It is important for the Taliban to promote the principles of national reconciliation and respect for women's human rights to each and every one of its fighters and to actually put the principles into practice.

The international community is facing difficult decisions over how to provide assistance to Afghanistan.

The United States, European countries and Japan must call on China and Russia and formulate a common strategy to encourage the Taliban to make positive changes.