Marine Gen. John Allen, the commander of allied forces in Afghanistan since 2011, this week announced his retirement, forfeiting his nomination as NATO supreme allied commander in Europe. Allen said he was leaving the military in order to help his wife, Kathy, who has an autoimmune disorder. The general’s nomination to the prestigious NATO post was put on hold last year after revelations that he sent hundreds of emails to Florida socialite Jill Kelley. A Pentagon investigation cleared Allen of wrongdoing in January, and his nomination was restored. President Obama thanked Allen for his service in Afghanistan and called him “one of America’s finest military leaders.”
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