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FNC Middle East expert Dr. Walid Phares, former CIA operative Michael Scheuer and FNC contributor Monica Crowley on the Benghazi and Algeria attacks.
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We're back now Monica Crowley doctor Walid -- Michael shorter.
Michael I wanna get your reaction by may is to walk.
What is your reaction to these reports that the White House.
The Obama administration.
Was cautioning the Algerian government how to respond to this hostage speaking and this group of terrorists.
-- And that's probably exactly right -- I think it is the algerians hire a very experienced -- at fighting these people and they don't give it a lot of time to develop.
I think it's it's probably very.
The crude to say but I think -- Jerry -- valued.
That gas production plant more really than the people that were being held hostage.
And I think that we're very worried about that plant being destroyed and I think that's probably why they moved right away.
-- business decision as well as the security decision.
Do you agree well it.
What I think in the principle yes but I think there was another reason for why -- -- unions may have gone quickly into doing it.
They were concerned and I.
But the Americas and the French could do what that was a drone fly and and Miller special forces moving -- very concerned that we would go in and therefore they could not absorb -- politically.
They went in first.
And that part of the calculus.
Was not true was ignored by Washington by European capitals.
While it.
What I think that the algerians understood.
Knowing what they know about those jihadist that if they don't terminate quote unquote the issue very quickly.
They are other -- this is not just a -- coming from overseas.
Algeria is filled with similar groups -- -- afraid that there would be other strikes elsewhere they want to head off from the beginning.
And and monitor this calculus that.
As well Michael and while lead there are suggesting.
Is absolutely form to the to this administration to the previous administration's.
Thinking on how to deal without -- -- -- exactly right does seem to be something of a turning point -- remember the whole dynamic in the region has changed not just Iraq and Afghanistan.
But to the north -- the east but even within Northern Europe I mean excuse me northern Africa because what we're seeing now -- with the removal of Muammar Qaddafi.
As has been reported by Jennifer Griffin it did create a power vacuum.
We know that al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups were operating -- would be even when Qaddafi was in power but the removal of him has created enormous vacuum and that's -- you're seeing the collapse of some.
To some of these cells that authority just now taking off from large swaths of land.
And Michael I want to go to your point.
On the business decision as well as the security decision by the algerians.
A lot of people don't realize that Algeria.
In combination.
But with Libya provide just about that there's 15% shortage right now in natural gas to Europe.
As a result of that shutdown of that one com -- This is a very tricky matter for both Europe and the United States.
And again the European involvement and engagement here the French are taking the lead in -- But not doing so for out of their economic interest but rather a political.
Our response and sort that out for us and what you expect to be the consequence.
Well what they've done is is -- the groups in Mali -- in Algeria and North Africa generally and in northern wet northwest air Africa.
Are very ethnically different religiously different and grievances were probably primarily primarily local.
Al-Qaeda works always to unite these people and focus them and foreign powers especially western powers.
And what the French have done is prove to them -- -- -- Because they've now put troops on the ground afford colonial power his return to their colonial power.
Our country rather with their western friends and the UN.
And there they now have something that will unite all of these groups.
And I think -- but the only thing we have going for us at the moment is an energy is a very hard not for the for the for the islamists to crack.
Because if they destroyed -- plants and direct wells in Muslim countries it put puts Muslims out of work.
I think it's very instructive that the people that took this gas plant did not killing Muslims intentionally.
-- they'd -- -- we -- Imus I can only partial in this -- we don't yet know.
Aren't all that trust how many people said -- was 600 of them that got away 600 did yes and then the numbers you become indeed foggy.
We're still waiting for others have area -- reliable and concrete update on those numbers while you get the last word here.
The future prospects in the war against al-Qaeda.
Unfortunately al-Qaeda is -- on the path to decline.
What we saw and been Ghazi.
In -- now northern Nigeria are.
In Algeria as we speak is all indicating that I've got -- on the path to expand its impasse of expansion not -- down.
Thank you very much -- we appreciate -- monitor well thank you only Paris Michael shorter thank you folks.
