英闻天下——264 Joseph Dunford Assumes Command of ISAF

 　　A new U.S. commander took charge of international forces in Afghanistan.

 

　　Marine¹ General Joseph Dunford replaces General John Allen, who had been in the role since July 2011, making him the longest-serving commander of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF.

 

　　At a ceremony in the capital Kabul, Allen handed the ISAF flag over to a NATO representative who then handed it over to Dunford.

 

　　In a speech, Allen mentioned some of the guidance he had given to his successor.

 

　　"The advice that I gave him was to do all he can to understand the complexity² of this ancient society of Afghanistan. To recognize that in all of its complexity, the principles of democracy come naturally to Afghans - perhaps even easier than it came to us."

 

　　Dunford said the day's events were about continuity.

 

　　"What's not changed is the will of this coalition³. What’s not changed is the discipline and the spirit of the team. What's not changed is the growing capability⁴ of our Afghan partners, the Afghan National Security Forces."

 

　　Dunford takes over the commandership at a critical time for US President Barack Obama and the military as foreign combat forces prepare to withdraw by the end of next year.

1 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

2 complexity   

n.复杂(性)，复杂的事物

参考例句：

• Only now did he understand the full complexity of the problem.直到现在他才明白这一问题的全部复杂性。
• The complexity of the road map puzzled me.错综复杂的公路图把我搞糊涂了。

3 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

4 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。