DEBKAfile reports: Iran's national security adviser Ali Larijani flies to Damascus aboard special military plane Wednesday night as war tension builds up around Hizballah kidnap of 2 Israeli soldiers  —  Larijani is also Iran's senior nuclear negotiator.  He will remain in Damascus …

Iran warns of 'fierce response' should Israel strike at Syria  —  By Haaretz Service and News Agencies  —  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Syria would be considered an attack on the whole Islamic world that would bring a "fierce response", state television reported.

Attacks Could Erode Faction's Support  —  Pressure Building Against Shiite Militia  —  BEIRUT, July 13 — The radical Shiite movement Hezbollah and its leader, Hasan Nasrallah, hold an effective veto in Lebanese politics, and the group's military prowess has heartened its supporters at home and abroad in the Arab world.

A Wilson Civil Suit?  —  ABC News tells us that Joe and Valerie Wilson have filed a civil suit against Cheney, Libby, Rove, and others in the Bush Administration over the Plame leak: … Joe Wilson had hinted at this lawsuit when we learned that Rove would not be indicted …

Former CIA officer sues Cheney over leak  —  WASHINGTON - The CIA officer whose identity was leaked to reporters sued Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide and presidential adviser Karl Rove on Thursday, accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career.