In addition to having a profound impact on the author of this commentary, he says Gen. Austin Scott Miller will be remembered as a friend of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced a sudden visit to the Mideast by long-range, nuclear-capable B-52H bombers, underlining America's continuing presence in the region.
A provincial council official said the Taliban was protecting the al-Qaida leader, which, if true, would be a violation of the Feb. 29 deal with the U.S. that jump-started Afghanistan peace talks.
Afghanistan’s warring sides started negotiations for the first time, bringing together the Taliban and delegates appointed by the Afghan government Saturday for historic meetings aimed at ending decades of war.