Monday, July 30, 2012

Unleash the Hounds

With France, ECOWAS, and the Mali government--or even the Tuareg separatists who seem to be having second thoughts about allying with drone bait--unable to do anything about the jihadi safe haven that has developed in the north, we seem to edging toward something:

The US is likely to weigh options ranging from military assistance to direct strikes to drive a growing al-Qaeda presence out of the coup-wracked African nation of Mali, a Pentagon official said on Thursday.

"We cannot allow al-Qaeda to sit in an ungoverned space and have a sanctuary and impunity," said Michael Sheehan, the Defence Department's assistant secretary for special operations.

Interestingly enough, the deaths of 3 US special forces reported early in the coup that unraveled the north are said to have been in an accident while with 3 women (who also died) while the troops were off duty.

Funny place for R & R. And a funny time. But what do I know?

But I assume all leaves are canceled, and if we do something our military options begin and end with special forces and drone strikes.

Or will France step up yet?