UNAMA

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan released its mid-year report on civilian protection this week. Although the total number of civilian casualties in the first half of 2012 was lower than the number in the same period of 2011, the rest of the news wasn't good.

More evidence that violence is on the increase in Afghanistan: according to the UN, the average monthly number of "security incidents" is nearly 40% above what it was last year at this time.  Also, in 2011 so far, there has been an average of 12 suicide attacks...per month.