General Joseph F. Danford, Commander of International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan, spoke at a ceremony in Kabul on Saturday and said that despite political challenges, ISAF's goal remains ensuring the Afghan forces can secure the April elections and weaken in the Taliban during this year's fighting season.
The four start General spoke at a ceremony introducing a new head of daily operations. Three star General Mark A. Milley was replaced with General Joseph Anderson after nine months on the job.
General Danford praised the abilities of the Afghan security forces, and emphasized their having confidence in ISAF's commitement.
"I want our Afghan partners to know right now that despite the difficult political challenges we are dealing with, the men and women of ISAF remain focused on one thing and one thing only: your success in securing the historic elections of 2014 and your success in taking the fight to the enemy in the summer of 2014," General Danford said. "Our commitment to your success and our confidence in your capabilities is unwavering, and our priorities are your priorities."
His comments are likely to be well-received by Afghan security officials who have expressed overwhelming support for the Kabul-Washington security agreement that would ensure a continued military partnership between the U.S. and Afghanistan.
General Danford also took the opportunity to applaud the work of General Milley.
"On your watch, the Afghan Security forces assumed the lead for security nationwide and they haven't looked back," General Danford said. "On your watch, the Afghan forces stepped up to secure the Afghan people during their first fighting season in the lead; on your watch, the Afghan security forces secured the Loya Jirga without a single security incident; and on your watch, 103 coalition bases and a 139 security assistance platforms have been closed."
Regardless of what happens with the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), 2014 will be the last year the U.S. and its NATO allies have enough troops and resources in Afghanistan to play a major role in security operations around the country. The progress made in combating the insurgency this year will likely be a bellwether of what is to come in Afghanistan.