Report to assess Afghan situation as dire

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A classified United States' review of its Afghanistan policies is likely to conclude the violence-torn country is in a dire situation, sources say.

With violence up 543 percent, opium poppy cultivation soaring and public support for U.S. intervention dwindling, unnamed sources told CNN Saturday the report's assessment of Afghanistan's future prospects will be grim.

The report, led by Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute of the U.S. National Security Council and including input from 24 government agencies, is expected conclude that even if U.S. President-elect Barack Obama follows through immediately on his campaign pledge to beef up American forces in Afghanistan, the moves will likely come too late to fight an expected spring offensive by Taliban insurgents, CNN said.

The report is also expected to report that the number of U.S. forces that could be mustered for service in Afghanistan in the next few months would only number several thousand.

A separate report is being conducted by new U.S. Central Command chief Army Gen. David Petraeus, who is overseeing an assessment of the 20 countries in his area of operations, CNN reported.