, AFP, 23 December 2010

EXCERPT: "The UN envoy to Afghanistan on Wednesday warned that the war was likely to get worse in the short-term and that Taliban insurgents may attempt 'spectacular attacks.' 'We are detecting from the anti-government elements an attempt to show, on their side, spectacular attacks,' Staffan de Mistura said at the United Nations. 'I'm afraid for the next few months for a tense security environment... Our assessment is before it gets better it may get worse,' he added. He went on to say that the best hope for lasting stability in the war-torn country was a political settlement between the Western-backed government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and insurgents bent on overthrowing him. 'Everyone recognizes there is no military solution. Frankly, even the Taliban do, even if they will not say this publicly,' de Mistura said."

Read the full .

Related articles:
Get real: That's the road to Afghan peace [Op-ed by Louise Arbour], The Globe and Mail, December 2010
Afghan policeman killed in suicide attack, BBC News, 23 December 2010
Taliban blows up Nato vehicle in Logar, Tolo News, 22 December 2010
Taliban insurgents prepare to attempt "spectacular" attacks, UN envoy says, Bloomberg, 22 December 2010
Taliban '"want base in neutral third country before peace talks begin", The Telegraph, 22 December 2010

Related posts:
Afghan civilian toll up 20 percent: UN report, 21 December 2010
Deadly Taliban attacks target security forces in Kunduz, Kabul, 20 December 2010
Roadside bomb kills 14 civilians in Afghan west, 16 December 2010
Uniformed suicide bomber strikes market near army base, kills soldiers, 6 December 2010
Uniformed suicide bombers attack police HQ, kill at least 13, 29 November 2010