The energy accords secretly signed by Israel, Cyprus and Greece for cooperation in Mediterranean energy exploration and production target a new offshore field opposite Crete. This bloc envisions becoming the continent's main energy supplier with a big difference: They are examining plans to export electric power to Europe instead of ...

Libyan Ruler Muammar Qaddafi's threat to "throw ourselves on Europe like swarms of locusts or bees" to attack "your homes, your offices, your families" may be meant to scare NATO off its coming all-out offensive to kill or oust him – or may be for real. If forced to quit, debkafile reports he could seek asylum with friendly African Sahel tribes like the al Qaeda-linked Tuareg, which also provide him with mercenaries. From there, he could orchestrate a campaign of terror.

NATO's lingering two-month campaign in Libya is whittling down Muammar Qaddafi's strength but also sapping its own. debkafile's military sources report that Washington and NATO HQ suspect Qaddafi is now getting early warning of incoming coalition strikes from advanced electronic devices newly installed at a foreign embassy in Tripoli. The fact remains that without substantial US military input NATO's European members cannot break Qaddafi's strength. Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are taking note.

US President Barack Obama Friday, March 18, laid down an ultimatum for Muammar Qaddafi to comply with or else face "military consequences," the key condition being the withdrawal of Libyan troops from three towns including Ajdabiya – tantamount to lifting the siege on Benghazi.  He set no deadline for those withdrawals nor did he demand that the towns in question revert to rebel control or Qaddafi's departure. European and Arab planes expected to start enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya in the next day or two.

US President Barack Obama launched a number of diplomatic and military steps Monday March 7 pointing toward preparation for US and NATO intervention in the Libyan civil war - notwithstanding objections from the Pentagon and US military chiefs. debkafile's sources report the administration was behind the UAE appeal Monday for UN Security Council protection for the Libyan people. The UAE was clearly seeking a mandate for military action, but Moscow quickly declared its opposition to any foreign intervention in Libya.

The 12 Al Qaeda terrorists, whose projected arrival has put European security authorities on high New Year alert, set out from Ain Hilweh, Lebanon, and belong to three al Qaeda-linked Palestinian groups, the Syrian Jund al-Sham, the Lebanese Army of Islam (which also operates in the Gaza Strip) and Fatah al-Islam, debkafile's counter-terror sources disclose.  Its members are all richly experienced in urban terror in Middle East arenas. Lebanon is Al Qaeda's latest departure point for terrorists.

The Palestinians believe they can use international misfortunes to fast-forward their national goals. They watch US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu grappling with political woes and the European Union in a life-and-death struggle to save the euro and at least five economies from falling off a cliff edge. Seeing a big chance for gain, Palestinian lead negotiator Saeb Erekat has produced the astonishing new figure of 7 million refugees whom Israel must accept.

debkafile's counter-terror sources are increasingly dubious of the imprecise American terror alert for Europe issued Oct. 3 by the US State Department.  They commented Tuesday, Oct. 5, that the blanket US call for US travelers to watch out in public places and tourist sites all over Europe has little relation to their own data on existing terrorist threats. France, where 14 terror suspects were arrested Monday and which is fighting AQIM, is a separate case.

debkafile cites US intelligence Saturday night, Oct. 2, as using the term "imminent" for a possible Mumbai-style multiple terrorist strike originating in Pakistan a week after four European countries, the UK, Germany, France and Sweden went on high terror alert. The State Department plans will soon publish an advisory to American travelers to avoid public places anywhere in Europe. Two Osama bin Laden tapes in 24 hours may hold the coded trigger for the attack.

European anti-terror agencies warned EU foreign ministers that further sensationalizing the Dubai killing may expose and jeopardize their own operations, prompting a softer condemnation that focused on the fake passports and omitted to mention Israel. Iran, however, urges the United Arab Republics to fan the flames, tar Israel and accept mutual defense pacts with Tehran.
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