Changing of the Guard

Today was the day.  GEN David Petraeus, USA, often referred to as “P4,” gave up the reins at ISAF.  Marine General John Allen assumed the command of ISAF in a change of command ceremony in Kabul today:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14181299

There’s a new ambassador, Ryan Crocker, inbound to replace the incumbent, retired general Karl Eikenberry.  Meanwhile, LTG David Rodriguez (a/k/a R3) was relieved last week as Commander, ISAF Joint Command, by LTG Curtis Scaparrotti.  This is a dicey time for the transition.  We’re completely replacing the top tier of military and civilian leadership at the same time that we begin the security handoff to the Afghan security forces and draw down our troop levels.

It’ll be interesting to see how the security handoff goes.  The Afghan army and police have been described as “not ready for prime time,” even as the Coalition starts the drawdown.  Will they step up to the plate?  Or will the whole thing come tumbling down like a poorly-built house of cards?  Inquiring minds want to know.

And this is where leadership plays a key role.  P4, the soldier-scholar who looks more like an academic than a warrior, mandated a “win the hearts and minds” campaign.  General Allen, on the other hand, has been described as a crusty, ass-kicking warrior who still has the dust on his boots from his last patrol.  Although Allen is a regional expert in his own right, he also epitomizes the USMC’s warrior ethos.  Regardless of the Afghan National Army’s readiness, I suspect Allen will have the Coalition increasingly take the fight to the Taliban and help them all go meet Allah real soon.

And now for something completely different.  The sky is filled with dark clouds, it looks like we might actually get a downpour here soon.  God knows we need it, a healthy rainfall might get some of this dust out of the air.  I had thought about going out by the data center yesterday and sunning myself … except that there was no sun.  Not clouds, just dust.  No sun, no shadows, no horizon.  I’ll be glad to see this place in the rearview mirror.