Nicholson replaces Campbell as commander in Afghanistan

U.S. Army General John W. “Mick” Nicholson has taken command of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, replacing Gen. John Campbell.

Nicholson, 58, took over  from U.S. Army General John F. Campbell, who oversaw the end of the international combat mission in 2014 and an escalation in the Taliban’s war against Kabul.

In a ceremony at the headquarters of the U.S.-NATO Resolute Support mission in Kabul, Nicholson thanked NATO representatives for standing by the U.S. after the September 11, 2001 attacks on “the homeland.”

To the Taliban, he said: “I know you. You have brought only hardship and suffering to the Afghan people.”

Nicholson said it is difficult to defeat the Taliban and Haqqani network when they enjoy terrorist safe haven. And it such it is important to “enlist” Pakistan.

“In this case, Pakistan, to go after those sanctuaries, and then the other important piece is to build up the defense capacity of the Afghans so that they can keep that level of violence down to a manageable level,” the General said.

Nicholson has served in multiple capacities including chief of staff of operations for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Forces – Afghanistan, director of the Pakistan/Afghanistan Coordination Cell for the Joint Staff, and deputy commander – Stability of ISAF Regional Command South.

Just over one year ago, the US and NATO-led mission in Afghanistan transitioned into an Afghan operation, with allied nations assisting in training and equipping local forces to tackle Taliban and other groups.