Editor's Note: This column is the second of a two-part series that explores where the Taliban exceeded expectations since retaking control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, and the many challenges that still lie ahead for the group as it enters the second year of its second reign over the country. The first part, which focuses on the group's relative successes over the past year, can be found here . While the Taliban have effectively established themselves as the de-facto government in Afghanistan, they will face considerable challenges to their continued rule, making effective diplomatic partnerships for economic advancement and preventing security threats, both domestically and to external actors, essential. Notably, most challenges are closely related to the accomplishments discussed in the first part of this series — highlighting that what may have been relative successes in the Taliban's first year in power also present longer-term liabilities.