The Allied high command changes hands, that of the ISAF also

(BRUSSELS2) American General John Allen will take up the post of Supreme Commander of the Forces of the Atlantic Alliance (SACEUR). The Ministers of Defense of the Atlantic Alliance have endorsed this decision which is above all a decision of the American command. Until now at the head of the International Assistance and Security Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), Allen should take office in the spring of 2013 and replace his compatriot Admiral James Stravridis, who took office 4 years ago, in July 2009. A graduate of the American War College and the College of Defense and National Intelligence, among others, John Allen began his "hot" missions abroad with the Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995. He later commanded the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006-2008. Central Asia since July 2008. As usual - it is still the Americans who hold this position - it was President B. Obama who appointed this general four stars, subject to Senate approval. It was his experience at ISAF that familiarized him with the structure of the Alliance where he had the difficult task of initiating the transfer of security to Afghan forces while initiating the withdrawal of Western forces.

ISAF keeps a "Marines" at his head

Another general from the Marine Corps will replace him. General Joseph F. Dunford will take the lead of some 100.000 Alliance soldiers still on site. A native of Boston and a graduate of War College and the Marine Landing School, he served in numerous battalions and regiments of Marines throughout his career. Current number two of these same American Marines since October 2010, this officer has earned his letters of nobility especially during his 22 months of service in Iraq as commander of the 5th Marine Regiment. "Fighting Joe" - as he was nicknamed during the Iraq war - will for the time being be responsible for carrying out the "gradual" withdrawal strategy (Read: Afghanistan: Change of tone at NATO high command) international troops in a context of Green on Blue attacks which undermine the morale of the troops.