Meanwhile, Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Mohammadi credited Allen for a drop in civilian casualties in Afghanistan, saying it helped to restore public confidence in the government.

CNN: US Marine general takes over NATO forces in Afghanistan

As she showed me how to write a version of the Bismillah - the declaration "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful" - she revealed something astonishing.

BBC: The Koran through the ages

In June, 2010, President Hamid Karzai removed General Bismillah Khan Mohammadi from his post as chief of staff of the Afghan Army, and transferred him to the Ministry of Interior.

NEWYORKER: After America

On Wednesday the three men will hold a joint meeting - alongside Afghan Defence Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Jilani - as part of what the US describes as "an ongoing trilateral dialogue".

BBC: Afghan talks: Nato urges Pakistan to fight militants

According to Afghan and American officials, Karzai decided to remove Bismillah Khan as Army chief over fears that he was packing the middle ranks of the Afghan officer corps with fellow Jamiat officers who might be more loyal to him than to the Afghan state.

NEWYORKER: After America