Mali becoming the next Afghanistan... Mali on Brink of Becoming a Terrorist Safe Haven December 24, 2012 - African and world leaders say they will not let Mali become a terrorist safe haven, a failed state, a so-called "Afghanistan" in the Sahel. The U.N. Security Council has backed a regional military deployment to Mali next year to deal with an ongoing political crisis in the capital and help the Malian army retake the north from Islamist militants. Will 2013 be the year that Mali pulls back from the brink? If so, at what cost? See also: Al-Qaida carves out own country in Mali Dec 31,`12 -- Deep inside caves, in remote desert bases, in the escarpments and cliff faces of northern Mali, Islamic fighters are burrowing into the earth, erecting a formidable set of defenses to protect what has essentially become al-Qaida's new country.
Granny says dat's `cause the economy is recoverin' so dey gonna spend dat money... US may give $32M to train African troops in Mali January 26, 2013 The Obama administration is seeking an additional $32 million to train African troops to fight Islamic extremists in Mali.
Keepin' AQIM in check... US Sharpens Focus on Northern Africa February 03, 2013 - Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Islamist militants in North Africa are regional threat that must not grow to become a global threat.
Pivot to Asia now becoming shift to Africa... At Pentagon, pivot to Asia becomes shift to Africa February 15, 2013 - In his first term, President Barack Obama instructed the Pentagon to pivot its forces and reorient its strategy toward fast-growing Asia. Instead, the U.S. military finds itself drawn into a string of messy wars in another, much poorer part of the world: Africa.
Terrorists got anti-drone techniques... Al-Qaida tipsheet on avoiding drones found in Mali Feb 21,`13 -- One of the last things the bearded fighters did before leaving this city was to drive to the market where traders lay their carpets out in the sand.
Obama is horsing around or dancing "Gangnam Style" on the "global seesaw". US to launch free trade talks with EU http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/us-launch-free-trade-talks-044202032.html
Grandpa says 'whether the economy is recoverin or not', Uncle Sam can easily print dat money to train African troops in Mali...
I am sure that the right wingers all have their feelings hurt now that we are only sending drones, based in Niger, to gather intelligence for the French, Chadian and Malian forces that are kicking Salafi asses.
My guess, they are like monkeys, acting out their primordial instincts. It's about competition and conflict. Well, that and imposing their Islamic system onto everyone...
The Tuareg just wanted their own homeland. They were thrown into Mali by the French colonial powers. They just made a mistake in allowing the Salafis to join them. Most of the Salafi are not even Tuareg or Malian.
Granny says tell dem Frenchies dey broke it, dey gotta fix it... Mali asks donors for 2bn euros to rebuild country Sun, May 12, 2013 - Mali will ask international donors for nearly 2 billion euros (US$2.6 billion) to help rebuild the country and try to halt a resurgence of al-Qaeda-linked Islamists who were driven out of the major northern towns by a French-led offensive.
