Violence Persists in Afghanistan as NATO Force Changes Generals

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. David H. Petraeus handed over command of the Afghan war on Monday, leaving behind a country racked by deep political instability whose fledgling security forces are fighting a weakened but deadly insurgency that kills coalition troops and Afghan civilians and officials nearly every day.

His successor, Gen. John R. Allen, will confront those challenges — and many more — as he guides NATO-led forces through the handoff of security control to Afghan forces by the end of 2014 — a process that is still in its earliest stages.

“There will be tough days ahead,” General Allen said in prepared remarks, which he delivered at a ceremony at the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force here, “and I have no illusions about the challenges we will face together.”

His first day in command offered a grim snapshot of those difficulties. Three NATO soldiers were killed on Monday by an improvised bomb in eastern Afghanistan, and another died in a separate incident in the south, NATO forces . said in statements.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/19/world/asia/19afghanistan.html

[David__77]

1. Some day the Afghans will celebrate kicking out the foreign occupiers.

I hope that can do so in peace and security.

[bluebuzzard]

2. $$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/07/2011711121720939655.html