Obama picks new Afghan commander

The Pentagon has named Lieutenant General John Nicholson as the new commander of worldwide forces in Afghanistan, amid concerns about setbacks in the fight against Taliban in the war-torn nation.

Just hours earlier, Lt. Gen. John Nicholson, President Barack Obama’s choice to be the next general to lead the war there, told a congressional panel that “in some areas we have years to go” before the Afghan army and police can stand on their own, despite the $60 billion Washington has already spent to train and equip them. “The difference with Afghanistan is we have a very capable and willing partner”.

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“Sir, I think it’s fair to say”, Nicholson responded.

Further complicating the fragile security situation is the emergence of Islamic State jihadists in parts of the country. Instead he said they would shrink to 5,500 by the end of the year.

“We’re going to continue to assess the security situation in Afghanistan, and (Carter) is going to continue to listen very carefully to Gen. Campbell on his assessment of what’s happening in Afghanistan, but, as of now, there’s no change to that plan”, Cook said. The conflict has become America’s longest-running war.

The report also notes that following the departure of most foreign forces in Afghanistan two years ago, the Taliban have significantly increased their influence in the country by seizing a number of districts and inflicting sizable losses on government forces.

Senator John McCain, who heads the committee, asked Nicholson if he agreed that the overall security situation in Afghanistan was worsening. “While many challenges remain, we have made gains over the past year that will put Afghanistan on a better path, and much of the credit for that progress rests with Gen Campbell”, Carter said. The White House has also recently given the military broad authority to target Islamic State in Afghanistan. General Nicholson warned that a more effective stance needs to be taken by the US.

The general, seated before the committee in his dress blues uniform, was broadly praised by members of the committee for his breadth of experience in Afghanistan.

Nicholson now commands NATO’s Allied Land Command, and had held several high-profile Army roles, including the commanding officer for the 82nd Airborne Division, and deputy commanding general for operations in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2012. His uncle, retired Army Col. Jim Nicholson, served as VA secretary under President George W. Bush.