http://patdollard.com/2012/09/allen-relieved-of-afghanistan-command/
The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan is being transferred and another Marine general will take over the war effort early next year as the United States and its allies shrink their combat role against the still-potent insurgency.
Allen’s expected departure in January will give him only a year and a half in Afghanistan, a relatively short tenure for a senior combat commander. Dunford has never served in Afghanistan.
Allen is exiting because the White House decided his experience at managing NATO’s role in the war made him the best choice available to lead the alliance, a job that is technically a promotion, the officials said.
