March 24:
Western officials are allegedly planning to dilute the influence of Hamid Karzai. The Times of London reports that the U.S. and Britain are not happy with the Afghan president’s inability so far to counter his country's rampant corruption, and would like to devolve managerial oversight of the government to a chief executive while keeping Mr. Karzai in place as a “father of the nation” figure. An actual prime ministerial position cannot be created because it would require altering the constitution – an opening which Islamic groups could exploit on a number of levels. A new chief of staff post, however, is possible. Reported candidates for the post are rumored to be the country's current interior, agriculture, defense, and economic ministers, although Western officials have officially denied that they are pushing for the governmental change.
Another cook could soon be added to the Afghan kitchen. The Financial Times reports that India is attempting to expand its involvement in the effort to stabilize the security environment in the former Taliban stronghold – much to the dismay of rival Pakistan. At the request of Pakistan, U.S. and NATO forces have restrained India from playing a prominent role, especially militarily, in securing Afghanistan. But politicians in Delhi are angling for a larger role for their country; Shankar Bajpai, chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board, believes India can add value by training Afghan security forces, as well as providing health care, engineering, and education.
March 29:
The Obama administration's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan has been initially well received by both Kabul and Islamabad. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has claimed that the new approach was "exactly what the Afghan people were hoping for," while his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, termed the plan "a positive change," reports the Washington Post. The new strategy entails a considerable shift in mission in Afghanistan, including more training of Afghan troops via an additional deployment of 4,000 U.S. soldiers. In both Pakistan and Afghanistan, the U.S. will be providing new and additional aid intended to improve civilian infrastructure and the quality of life as a hedge against Islamist extremism. Afghan officials have been particularly pleased with the Obama administration's recognition that a major source of instability in Afghanistan originates across the border in Pakistan, where Islamic militants are allowed to train and organize.
April 3:
Tensions between South Asian neighbors Thailand and Cambodia have flared once again. The point of discord this time, Reuters reports, is a temple by both countries. According to the news agency, the 900 year old Hindu temple in a disputed region has become a flashpoint between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, with recent clashes killing at least two Thai soldiers and wounding six others. Both governments are hurrying to patch up their differences; the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee is planning to convene to propose a resolution to the crisis. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, however, has threatened to fight if Thai troops cross into his territory.
April 8:
Two U.S. officials have received a chilly welcome in Islamabad. According to the New York Times, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen and regional Special Envoy Richard Holbooke traveled to Pakistan to discuss security issues and provide more details about the Obama administration's new AfPak strategy, but were snubbed by the head of Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha. Pakistani military and intelligence officers have been irked by recent American suggestions that the ISI clandestinely supports Taliban attacks on U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Pakistani citizens and officials reportedly are also frustrated by the missile strikes carried out by U.S. unmanned drones in the country's tribal regions, which are being launched from airbases inside Pakistan. Pakistani officials took particular exception to the fact that the U.S. will be closely monitoring any aid sent to the nation, with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi cautioning the two Americans about the need to "engage with mutual trust and mutual respect."