"That is where the vulnerability is," the official said. "That's why [the European Commission's climate action DG] is looking at ICT [information and communications technology] systems, and how they work."

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said other Commission departments were also looking at potential cyber-disruptions to electricity and gas trading.

L'attentat suicide, qui a fait au moins 35 morts et environ 150 blessés, met en exergue l'échec de M. Poutine dans sa tentative de mettre fin à l'insurrection après plus d'une décennie au pouvoir.

Met Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, Olympic security coordinator, said there were no plans to draw on the military, beyond certain niche demands, despite severe spending cuts across the nation's police forces.

Chief constables have seen their budgets cut by about 20% as the coalition government attempts to rein in a record budget deficit approaching 11% of national output.

Napolitano tried to convince EU policymakers that unsuccessful attempts by terrorists to place explosive devices onboard aircraft have highlighted the need to engage the international community in countering the movement and deployment of weapons of mass destruction.

"Regardless of where a potential event might occur, the ripple effect of a significant disruption of this global system could potentially impact not just the United States but the entire international community," Napolitano said.

This analysis was authored by Marko Papic from global intelligence company STRATFOR.

''Only five days into 2011, events in Sweden, Poland and Russia indicate that the geopolitics of the region are evolving and that the area will be critical for European security and political issues in 2011.