course, want to leverage each ore other. the taliban wants recognition to stay in charge. the u.s. wants stability. can they reach the point where both think it's a win? >> reporter: i think on the surface we'll see this sort of mutual standoff continue for some time. but the ultimate place the taliban want to be, which is international recognition, i think is an unlikely place for the u.s. to end up. it appears at this stage the u.s. is not going to keep diplomatic presence inside the country. we've seen a letter now from the u.s. with 100 allies to the taliban asking them to stick to the promise they made to allow people to still leave the country after august 31st. the taliban statement has been they will allow that provided people have, quote, the right legal documentation. it isn't entirely clear what that means. there are critics of the taliban who say, well, what are they going to do allow the people who assisted the u.s. presence in afghanistan to depart. these are essentially people they consider to be their enemies in the past.