A group of Taliban insurgents attacked the U.S. embassy and other Western civilian targets in Kabul today. The battle has continued into the night, though Afghani and NATO security forces have now confined the remaining insurgents to one building.

Several issues of concern stand out: the significant weaponry wielded by the attackers, including rocket-propelled grenades and heavy rifles; their ability to penetrate so close to key Western and Afghani security installations, and the remarkable level of coordination in attacks (two suicide bombings went off at the same time as the embassy attack). Moreover, Stratfor reports that the attacks “[in] this area could not have been possible without the Taliban obtaining aid from Afghan security personnel posted in high-security areas,” reflecting significant infiltration and disloyalty among Afghani security forces, serious problems across the country and in Pakistan as well. The attack could not have hoped to cause any real damage to hardened targets like the U.S. embassy, but was clearly intended to demonstrate the government’s tenuous security situation.

During the gradual transfer of responsibility to Afghani forces, the surprising attack should raise serious concerns about the security situation, even in what should be the country’s most secure area, Kabul’s embassy district. Finally, it is also likely to undermine, on both sides, the incipient negotiations between the Taliban and Western forces.