After one year leading American and coalition troops in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus transferred command of the long-running war to Gen. John Allen, reports the Associated Press. The prominent general is retiring from the military to replace Leon Panetta as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He assumed command of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan last year when Gen. Stanley McChrystal was relieved after Rolling Stone published their "Runaway General" profile filled with unflattering remarks made by subordinates about the president.

Pictured above, Petraeus is seen saluting during the change of command ceremony in Kabul. In a new interview with Newsweek he maintained that progress in Afghanistan is still possible. "I've always said this would be very hard, but it can be done....That’s still my view," he said. His successor, Gen. Allen was quoted by Reuters at the ceremony saying "It is my intention to maintain the momentum of this great campaign on which we have embarked...There will be tough days ahead."

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Erik Hayden