Top U.S. general in Afghanistan steps aside

Gen. Scott Miller handed off command to Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, who will oversee U.S. military operations in Afghanistan remotely from Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Fla. McKenzie will have authority to conduct airstrikes in defense of Afghan government forces—at least until the United States completes its withdrawal next month.

Is the Afghan government ready? The Taliban, an Islamic terror group, continues to conquer more territory throughout the country. Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib said the U.S. and NATO withdrawal has left a vacuum. Afghan forces have already been left stranded on the battlefield without supplies, sometimes running out of food and ammunition, he said.

Dig deeper: Read Onize Ohikere’s report in World Tour about the increasing violence in Afghanistan as the U.S. military pulls out.