IT’S OFFICIAL

Petraeus Takes Reins in Kabul

Says war is at a "critical moment."

Capping a dramatic two weeks that saw General Stanley McChrystal swept out of his role as top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, his replacement David Petraeus was formally sworn in on Sunday in Kabul. Petraeus, now officially in charge of NATO’s International Security Alliance, had kind words for his predecessor and promised to maintain what he saw as the progress of recent months. “We must help Afghan leaders develop their security forces and governance capacity,” he said, calling this period a “critical moment” in the war effort. “And, in performing these tasks,” he continued, “we must clearly pursue the insurgents relentlessly.”