Fears of another terrorist attack by al-Qaeda have prompted Nato to begin escorting allied civilian ships through the Strait of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. Spanish, Portuguese and American warships are involved in the operation, which began at the request of the United States. Before the end of this month, a British frigate will take command. All the evidence is that the potential threat to shipping is on the increase. Nato has had plenty of bad publicity recently, with bitter splits emerging between member countries on what to do about Iraq. Full Story