Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan steps down

Driving the news: Miller, who led forces in Afghanistan longer than any other general in the position, turned over command to Marine Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, who heads U.S. Central Command in Florida.

• McKenzie will retain the ability to authorize airstrikes against the Taliban through Aug. 31, according to Reuters. After that, the U.S. focus will shift entirely to counterterrorism operations against ISIS and al-Qaeda.
• Miller is expected to retire, defense officials told NBC News.

The big picture: The U.S. has almost completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, though the departure has coincided with large territorial gains by the Taliban and a sharp increase in violence.

• Biden defended the exit during an address last week, saying it was not inevitable that the Afghan government would collapse and the Taliban would take over Kabul.
• The president also stressed that the U.S. will continue to support the Afghan government after its withdrawal and will still help to promote human rights in the country.