By McClatchy Newspapers

Published: Saturday, February 9, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, February 9, 2013

KABUL, Afghanistan — In the heavily secured headquarters of the NATO-led forces here, the man who could be the last commander of America's longest war will officially take charge on Sunday of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. will replace Marine Corps Gen. John Allen, who is expected to become NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe.

With the United States committed to removing its combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, Dunford's assignment will include winding down an American presence that stretches back to just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The number of American bases is shrinking, and the U.S. involvement in combat, as shown by the number of dead and wounded, is dropping. Several of the countries that have fought side by side with the United States have withdrawn their forces or intend to soon.

The United States and its allies have said they'll leave some troops behind to train and support Afghan security forces, but Dunford's assumption of command marks the beginning of the end of America's war in Afghanistan.

It's unlikely to be a smooth glide to the exit, and Dunford acknowledged that during his Senate confirmation hearing.

“I recognize that much work needs to be done and the challenges will be many,” he said. “But with continued focus and commitment, I believe our goals are achievable.”

Dunford holds a pair of master's degrees, one in government from Georgetown University and another, in international relations, from Tufts University. Those can only help in a role that is often as much statesman as commander. His calm approach and diplomatic skills will inevitably be tested by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a sometimes prickly and unpredictable ally.

Among the problems Dunford inherits are helping to train and support an Afghan force that has little in the way of a supply chain and no significant air support of its own. There are other simmering issues with Karzai, such as control over detainees.

Also critical is providing proper support for the pivotal presidential election scheduled for April 2014. That election would give the country its first president who is not Karzai since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion.

Then there is the actual war. The Taliban have been hit hard since a U.S. troop surge in 2010. American casualties are at their lowest point in years, but that is at least partly a reflection of Afghan units taking the lead more often, and Afghan casualties have been rising.

American leaders say that among the positive things Dunford inherits are a marked improvement recently in the abilities of Afghan troops. That allowed President Obama to say last month that Afghan forces will take the lead sooner than expected.

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