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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration is considering sending itstop general in Afghanistan, who commands U.S. and NATO troops thereduring a crucial withdrawal period, to head U.S. forces in Europethis winter. A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity said that MarineGeneral John Allen, who took over command of NATO and U.S. forcesin Afghanistan in July 2011, was under initial consideration tobecome head of U.S. European command this winter, noting such planswere preliminary and could change. "Allen is one of the most widely respected leaders in the military.No one would bat an eye if he were nominated," an administrationofficial said on condition of anonymity. "He has earned the respectof U.S. policymakers and our allies for his strong leadership andacumen." Pentagon spokesman George Little said that "no decisions have beenreached on this nomination." Allen has directed the campaign in Afghanistan as Western nationsseek to balance the demands of fighting a still-potent insurgencywith a mounting desire in home capitals to end the long, costlyconflict. Under a plan endorsed by the White House, Allen will oversee theremoval of the 33,000 extra U.S. troops President Barack Obama sentto Afghanistan, leaving about 68,000 by this fall. Most U.S. troopsare due to be gone by the end of 2014. Allen has been expected to make recommendations about further troopreductions once this summer's fighting season - which may show thedegree to which the Taliban has been weakened, or remains resilient- is over. Speculation about Allen's future comes only days before NATOleaders gather in Chicago for a summit that will focus on theWestern path out of Afghanistan, and steps NATO can take to ensurethe country does not slip backwards into greater violence when thathappens. The preliminary consideration of Allen for the move was firstreported by the Washington Post. Western troops in Afghanistan havebeen headed by a succession of commanders since the war began in2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks. If Allen were nominated and confirmed as head of U.S. EuropeanCommand, he would replace Admiral James Stavridis, who also servesas Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO. Allen, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1976, alsoserved in Iraq and as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command,which includes Afghanistan. (Reporting by Missy Ryan ; Editing by Lisa Shumaker ). I am an expert from uv-led-lights.com, while we provides the quality product, such as DIP LED Lamp , Wall Washer Led Lights Manufacturer, 3528 SMD Leds,and more.
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