France starts military intervention against islamists in Mali.

[Something completely different]

I didn`t even notice this yesterday, since I didn`t watch the news.
But French military interventions generaly dont seem to get much coverage.
I hardly noticed their interventions in Ivory Coast.

The military actions yesterday and today seem to be a response to a suprise offensive by islamist forces yesterday.
So far 1 French soldier has died, islamist casulties unknown.

France had previously only committed to providing training and logistical support to Mali's military. By Thursday evening, however, rumors had begun circulating on the frontlines among the various Islamist groups and the notoriously poorly armed government soldiers that French troops were already on their way or had already arrived in Sevare, which is located near a large military barracks and airport.

The military has completely closed Sevare off to the media. But residents reached by phone on Friday morning reported having seen French special forces troops in the city. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several Malian officers confirmed the arrival of a small group of elite French soldiers, explaining that they are supposed to help the Malian army in its efforts to drive back the Islamists. One officer mentioned a handful of French soldiers primarily tasked with coordinating troop movements.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/worl...77050.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20997522

[Surtr]

They also fucked up trying to rescue their agent.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013...in-somalia

[Polaris]

Just look how fucking well this turned out....

[Surtr]

I wonder if the other UN countries would fill in the gap if the US stopped with its interventionist policies?

[Something completely different]

France has a history of militarily intervening in it`s former colonies.

It did so in the last ten years in Ivory Coast, Congo and Mali.
And also had a big troop contingent stationed in Afghanistan.

Thing is, hardly anyone notices.

France (contary to sterotypical belief) has a very strong army, air force and navy and is not affraid to engage in military intervention.
And I am happy that at least one European country has the guts to engage in a more aggressive foreign policie when confronted with assholes.
The rest of Europe unfortunatly seems to prefer pussy politics and peace negotiations with monsers like Hamas.

[Minimalist]

France had previously only committed to providing training and logistical support to Mali's military.

Yeah - that's how it always starts. How many times have we fallen into that particular rathole.