International Security Assistance Force

While Afghanistan continues to have significant security problems, the larger-scale combat of the Afghanistan War (2001-) is over, and the NATO International Security Assistance Force has a dual mission of improving Afghanistan's military and police, as well as direct combat. It commanded by a U.S. four-star general who is also commander of United States Forces - Afghanistan (USFOR-A), GEN David McKiernan.

ISAF command
On May 12, 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates asked for McKiernan's resignation; he is to be replaced by LTG Stanley A. McChrystal. . McChrystal comes from a special operations background, as opposed to McKiernan's in armor.

ISAF structure
There are five regional commands of ISAF.
 * North: Germany forces; primarily training
 * East: U.S.
 * South: rotating command between Dutch, Canadian, and British forces,
 * West: Italy; primarily training
 * Capital: The capital region included the composite ISAF HQ, made up of members of all 41 contributing nations, as well as
 * Regional Command Capital, under France

Under USFOR-A, overtly, are two major commands, one combat and one advisory/training. Combat capabilities are based on a U.S. division, forming a U.S. task force named for the division (i.e., currently Combined Joint Task Force-101, based on the 101st Airborne Division), which is also the ISAF Regional Command-East. Assigned to Afghanistan are the division headquarters, 4th Brigade Combat Team, the 101st Aviation Brigade and the 101st Sustainment Brigade; the remaining brigade combat teams are in Iraq.

Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan is headed by a U.S. major general, with British and Canadian brigadier general deputies.