(Image source: Politico)

BY: ALEJANDRA QUINTELA

ANCHOR: ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

You're watching multisource world video news analysis from Newsy.

A monumental changing of the guard on the war-front.
U.S. Gen. David Petraeus has handed over command in Afghanistan to Marine General John Allen.


“The 58-year-old is leaving to become the new director of the CIA. Petraeus took up the post last July after his predecessor, Stanley McChrystal, had to quit after he criticized several top US officials in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.” (Euronews)



But as NATO forces change generals, the violence in Afghanistan continues. The New York Times reports, Petraeus is....


“...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.”



The hand-off has also created an opening for an analysis of the job Petraeus did.  The Christian Science Monitor questions if Petraeus’ strategy has made Afghanistan safer.


“The policies that some herald as major achievements in stabilizing the country are the same policies that many observers say risk creating an element of insecurity:.. the Afghan local police program, increased night raids, and air strikes that reportedly led to the kill or capture of hundreds of insurgents." 



Beyond what has been achieved, most analysts know - much more remains to be done.  The BBC news reports -- Gen. Allen does not expect the fight to be easy and warns about future challenges.

“There will be tough days ahead and I have no illusions about the challenges we will face...It is my intention to maintain the momentum of this campaign...I will continue to support, in every way possible, the recruiting, the training, the preparation and the equipping and the fielding and employment of Afghan national security forces."



A Fox News military analyst reports -- Allen, the Marine General credited with turning the tide of battle in Iraq, could be the best choice to take the lead in Afghanistan.

“He is very bright, extremely well educated, he is very erudite, he is good on the stage, he is good with strategic communications not just with the folks in Afghanistan but also with the folks at home. And also, he is trusted by the administration and he is also respected highly in the other side of the aisle,  so...I guess in a sense the President could have not made a better choice to take over the mission from David Petraeus .”

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