France sends troops into Mali

[Boris Johnson]

Just because Le France's interventionist record gets underplayed, and well.. a western nation deploying combat troops against Islamists unilaterally is kinda a big thing in this day and age.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20991723

Get some.

Given how important west Africa is to 'al qaeda', has France now taken the U.S mantle in the fight against Islamism, at least in terms of deploying active combat forces.

Looks like. Though of course the fact the west Africa is considered firmly within the french sphere of influence has to be taken into account.

[Boris Johnson]

The exact nature of the intervention appears unclear at this time, but there appear to be French combat troops within Mali and the French air-force has begun providing close air support the Malian army.

Hollande speech (soundings a lot like Blair, actually....) gives them a pretty wide mandate, given the normal behave of french expeditionary forces, I wouldn't expect a whole lot of restraint.

Gotta admit, did not expect this of Hollande.

[exploited]

It was going to happen anyways, but I am also surprised. That's a pretty significant move.

I'm not sure really what I think about it yet.

[The Dharma Bum]

UK has Libya and the US has Congo, the French don't want to be the only ones that don't regain their colonial empire. They had extensive holdings in western Africa until WWII and I'm sure they would like them back.

[Demosthenes]

[Boris Johnson]

[Boris Johnson]

[Boris Johnson]

[Hyperion]

But will they drop care-package full of french fries?

[Boris Johnson]