[spetznaz]

Good for the French, and for the rest of the free world. The French have always had no qualms taking matters to the next level via stern action (which makes the usual internet memes of 'cheese eating surrender monkeys' quite obsolete ...that phrase is far more aptly descriptive of the British). The French have always had no problems getting their hands dirty, whether it is in Libya (where the performance of the Rafale and the Hammer LGB more or less led to the sale of the Rafale to India), in Cote d'Voire when things went south, and now in Mali (not to mention prior engagements, including some funny ones like sending frogmen to sink a GreenPeace ship that was protesting against French nuclear tests). The French also have the most draconian rules against Islamic fundamentalism in Europe, where judges have almost godlike powers against suspected zealots (compare this with British reluctance to even deport wanton criminals), and we saw how the French went ahead to bad hijabs and burkas.

Staying on point, action had to be taken in the area now, or else in another 7 years you'd be seeing a far more massive action (with the US now being forced to be involved) as Mali, and the surrounding region, becomes a super-charged, pre-911, Afghanistan. The French are doing the world a favor. If the situation was given another 5-7 years you would see a situation that would require far more extensive 'action,' and the end-play would either be something similar to Afghanistan or, dare I say, Viet Nam ...which began in a similar manner come think of it.

Right now the Islamic rebels running amok in Mali are mostly gun-totting brigands that can easily be routed by an advanced army. If they are given the time to take over the entire country, and to liaise and integrate with other Islamic groups within and without Africa (e.g. Boko Haram in Nigeria, and Al Queda proper elsewhere), and to meld into the populace, it will be much harder to rout them.

The French are doing a good job. Far better than the Brits, who, according to the Daily Mail, have Labour MPs saying that assisting the French may attract terrorist attacks on the UK! As if the terrorists would refuse to attach London, given the chance, whether or not the Brits stepped in or not.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Mali is a former French colony. France still maintains significant commercial interests there including the gold, uranium and phosphates industries. France probably doesn’t care much about the fertilizer, they have plenty of their own. But if the gold or uranium production is threatened look for guys in fuzzy green hats with dragon style hat badges to start showing up and spray painting “LPNE” on the walls of mosques.

[piasa]

Boko Haram’s already been seen in Mali.

[the scotsman]

‘which makes the usual internet memes of ‘cheese eating surrender monkeys’ quite obsolete ...that phrase is far more aptly descriptive of the British’

Kindly go **** yourself.

‘(compare this with British reluctance to even deport wanton criminals),’

The terrorists are using EU laws to stifle British attempts. And who signed the UK up to those laws?. Why that nice Tony Blair you all loved in America post 9-11.

[Owl558]

“The French are doing a good job. Far better than the Brits...”

The French should have been doing this job all along. It is their former colony and they’re the ones with the commercial and banking interests. I say, fine for the French, it’s about time. Now that they are in it, we pray godspeed to the brave French soldiers.

But, Hollande is hardly the reincarnation of Charles Martel in this. He’s simply tending to the bankers (like in Ivory Coast, et.all.). And yes, Britian as well as all the western nations should be aware that they might experience an increased risk of terrorist attack because of this French action. Observing this fact is not necessarily evidence as timidity, British or otherwise. Seems like common sense to me.