ISAF Says Afghan Mission Stays the Same

The sudden departure of Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal on Wednesday as commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has not changed the focus of the 46-nation coalition there, officials with the International Security Assistance Force said Thursday. “We remain absolutely focused on our tasks and the operational tempo will not miss a beat,” said ISAF acting commander, British Army Lt. Gen. Sir Nick Parker. Indeed, they said, ISAF remains committed to helping the Afghan government defeat the Taliban insurgency and build a strong national security force. Parker took over temporarily at ISAF until the new top US general is in place. Obama on Wednesday nominated Army Gen. David Petraeus, head of US Central Command and architect of the successful counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq, to replace McChrystal. Petraeus’ nomination hearing before the Senate is expected next week. (ISAF release)