VOA常速英语:NATO Copes With Early French Afghan Withdrawal

in the wake of尾随,紧跟,仿效
例句：There were a lot of fallen trees in the wake of the storm.
暴风雨之后，很多树倒了。
ahead of schedule提前
例句：We finished the project ahead of schedule.
我们提前完成了这项工程。

2. It was just last week that French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that he wants his troops out of Afghanistan by the end of next year.

by the end of到…为止
例句：He had finished his great works by the end of 1980.
到1980年底, 他已完成了他的巨著。

3. “Actually, I think all this will take place within the roadmap we already outlined in November 2010, gradually transfer lead responsibility to the Afghan security forces, hopefully see that process completed by 2014," said  Fogh Rasmussen.

take place发生; 举行
例句：The evening party will take place on New Year's Eve.
晚会将在除夕那天举行。

4. They have been fighting Taliban and al-Qaida forces, and training Afghan troops to take over.

take over接管; 接替
例句：She took over his work after his departure.
他离开以后, 她接替了他的工作。

5. Still, some experts are concerned that the French move might put NATO’s already-ambitious plan in jeopardy.

put in使处于某种状态
例句：The surprise attack put me in a fix.
这次突然袭击使我处于困境。