VOA标准英语2013--US General Says Afghan Victory Coming

 

US General Says Afghan Victory Coming

It was a ceremony with much pomp, and from outgoing General John Allen, a reassurance¹ that peace in Afghanistan is on the horizon 19 months after he took command of the International Security Assistance Force. “Frankly, looking back on that day in July 2011, 19 months ago, I did not have the sense of optimism that I have as I stand here before you today. The optimism, and the very real sense of knowing that we will be victorious," he said.

Allen handed over command to Marine² General Joseph Dunford, whose job it will be to send home most of the 66,000 U.S. troops and other foreign forces left in Afghanistan by the end of next year. “Today, we're saying goodbye to a great commander and we're changing command. But today is not about change. It's about continuity," said Dunford.

The withdrawal³ continues. But U.S. and coalition⁴ troops are going home before there is peace. Some territory is still in the hands of insurgents⁵ - mainly in rural areas.

U.S. officials say their departure is a successful one. The goal was to transfer security responsibility to Afghan forces - a process that is well under way. 

Dunford indicated he shares Allen's optimism. “As General Allen departs theater, he leaves the coalition and our Afghan partners postured⁶ for success. I'll endeavor to continue the momentum⁷ of the campaign and support the people of Afghanistan as they seize the opportunity for a brighter future," he said.

That future depends on a number of unresolved questions.

The 2013 fighting season is approaching and it will be a test for the newly trained Afghan forces who will be at the forefront for the first time.

Also in question is the number of U.S. troops that would remain to advise and assist Afghanistan beyond 2014, and the outcome of elections, also next year, to determine who will replace longtime Afghan president and U.S. ally Hamid Karzai.

With the optimism, a lot of uncertainty⁸ looms⁹ over Afghanistan's future. 

1 reassurance   

n.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• He drew reassurance from the enthusiastic applause.热烈的掌声使他获得了信心。
• Reassurance is especially critical when it comes to military activities.消除疑虑在军事活动方面尤为关键。

2 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。

3 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

4 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。

5 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

6 postured   

做出某种姿势( posture的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She postured before the camera. 她在相机前摆出做作的姿势。
• The painter postured his model. 画家使模特儿摆姿势。

7 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

8 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

9 looms   

n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近

参考例句：

• All were busily engaged,men at their ploughs,women at their looms. 大家都很忙，男的耕田，女的织布。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The factory has twenty-five looms. 那家工厂有25台织布机。 来自《简明英汉词典》