In July 2010, when General David Petraeus assumed command of both US forces and the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF), as the NATO mission in Afghanistan is known, he repeatedly stressed that the military and civilian sides would work closely together as “one team with one mission.” This was not idle cheerleading. Petraeus was trying to send a signal that the military would mend fences with the embassy – headed by U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry – after the relationship had been strained by a series internal and external political and military crises, the most infamous of which was the firing of Petraeus’ predecessor General Stanley McChrystal. (See pictures of the rise and fall of McChrystal.)
Now, 13 months later, it is apparent Petraeus’ pledge has gone unfulfilled. During the handover from Eikenberry to Ambassador Ryan Crocker last week and from Petraeus to Lt. General John Allen the week before, the two new leaders made similar statements, each focusing on the transition to Afghan security forces and reassuring Afghan officials that they are not being abandoned. “It is a time for us to step back and for the Afghans to step forward, as they’re doing,” said Crocker, but
Read More from the Article Source: Full Article
