Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, testified before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees in Washington this week, saying that military progress in Afghanistan will be difficult this year. Afghan security officials recently have issued similar warnings, noting that the number of violent assaults is likely to increase with the spring thaws. Some 15 provinces in the north, east and west face a serious threat from insurgents, and the situation is declining in provinces bordering Pakistan and Iran, officials said. Current flashpoints include Marjah and Kandahar, where a fresh NATO offensive is being prepared. Meanwhile, military and civilian development efforts -- a key component of the U.S. strategy -- are being focused on some 80 districts, most of them located on or near Afghanistan's Ring Road.