AFGHANISTAN: U.S./NATO emphasize long-term strategy
On March 15, U.S. General Petraeus told Congress that his forces are making enough progress to begin the gradual three year withdrawal process in July. However, while Petaeus emphasized the security advances made over the past year, he recognized that recent progress is also "fragile and reversible." The General recommended a 70,000 person increase in the size of Afghan security forces, bringing the total to 378,000; an administration decision is expected soon. Pentagon Police Chief Michelle Flournoy also testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee indicating that not all U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan after the transition of control in 2014. Flournoy expressed that complete withdrawal was a mistake in the 1990s and will not be repeated. Similarly, on March 11, Secretary Gates warned defense ministers from the nearly 50 nations with troops in Afghanistan that uncoordinated withdrawals or those motivated by political concerns, rather than security conditions, threaten security gains. NATO Secretary General Rasmussen asked allied partners for patience and determination in the effort for "durable and irreversible progress". Comment: Karzai is expected to announce the first round of districts and provinces that will transition to Afghan force control on March 21. Presidents Obama and Karzai are reported to be working out the deals of an "enduring partnership" beyond 2014. (Washington Times, Reuters, CNN)

  

MALDIVES: Press Secretary denies Al-Qaeda operations in Maldives
On March 14, media sources report that Maldivian Press Secretary Zuhair denied the existence of an Al-Qaeda base, calling the claims "a blatant lie." On March 10, Sri Lankan newspaper, "The Island," reported that Indian security agencies suspected a link between Somali militant group, al Shabab, and the al-Qaeda base set up in Maldives. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) responded to "The Island" article saying there are no Al-Qaeda bases on any of the islands of Maldives. According to news reports, Major Abdurraheem expressed concern that newspaper claims made by "a good neighboring country" threaten the security and safety of Maldives. The Major indicated that full aerial surveillance operations of the Maldivian seas were conducted with the help of the Indian Air Force and no terrorist operations were found. Comment: In a public statement, the MNDF Media Coordinator indicated that if "The Island" provided evidence of the location of alleged Al-Qaeda base, MDNF would investigate immediately. This week terrorist rumors circulated as Maldives witnessed the return and subsequent arrest of Iqbal Mohamed, a man who was believed to be living in Pakistan and is a suspect in the 2007 bomb attack of Male's Sultan Park. While secretary Zuhair indicated that Maldives was under increased security risk, reports that India and the Maldives were working on joint counter-terrorism measures last April sparked ongoing news reports about suspected terrorist threats. (The Island, Minivan News, Miadhu)

  

PAKISTAN: Raymond Davis released
On March 16, Raymond Davis, a U.S. CIA contractor arrested for shooting two men in January, was acquitted of murder charges and released by a Pakistani court after victims' families dropped charges in response to a deal to receive "blood money." The deal was reached just hours after Davis was indicted, ending a contentious diplomatic standoff between the United States and Pakistan. On March 17, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf parties staged small-scale protests in Karachi and Lahore; lawyers claim that families of the two dead men were coerced into accepting financial compensation in return for pardoning Davis. Pakistani media reported that families received 200 million rupees ($2.34m) while in Saudi Arabia; the deal was reportedly brokered by the Saudi Arabian government. Comment: Given the accordance with Sharia law, responses to the acquittal are mixed. While media reports indicate a "muted" public response, other sources say political parties are exploiting the issue for political gain. Following Davis' release, the judge handing down the decision went on leave for security reasons. According to one media source, all religious parties have announced protest rallies to take place on Friday.  (BBC, Times of India, Express Tribune)