But authorities decided against a commando raid, instead refueling the plane and giving food in return for the release of 10 more hostages.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Afghanistan: Destination Unknown

America operates a spy network there and recently launched a special-forces commando raid from its base in nearby Djibouti to free an American citizen from Somali brigands.

ECONOMIST: Somalia��s future

Panetta's assessment came just days before the one-year anniversary of the U.S. commando raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that ended a manhunt for the al Qaeda founder that began following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

CNN: Panetta: 'No kind of silver bullet' to destroy al Qaeda

The NATO peace force in Bosnia, which has come under much criticism for not capturing war criminals, said it will detain Karadzic and Mladic if they are encountered during routine duties, but has ruled out a commando-style raid.

CNN: Mladic, Karadzic still at large