Afghanistan Update

Uncle Sam taking back the keys moves apace.

NATO’s governing body approved a plan on Tuesday to reorganize the alliance’s command structure in Afghanistan by setting up a new headquarters to handle the day-to-day running of the war.

NATO spokesman James Appathurai said the new Intermediate Joint Headquarters will be commanded by U.S. Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez. Rodriguez participated in Tuesday’s deliberations of the North Atlantic Council governing body by videoconference along with his boss, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.

The decision is part of a reorganization of the U.S. and NATO command structure aimed at easing the pressure on McChrystal by removing his burden of the day-to-day operation of the war. It is similar to the model used in Iraq, where overall command of the multinational forces was under a four-star American general, while a three-star general ran daily operations.

NATO has about 64,000 troops — half of them Americans — in Afghanistan. The new headquarters will not control the separate U.S. contingent of about 10,000 soldiers that is deployed along the border with Pakistan, Appathurai said.

NATO has been measured for over six years since they took over and have been found wanting.

If you want the best reporting out there though, you need to check in with Michael Yon on a regular basis. If you can, throw something in his tip jar as he needs your support to keep this up.