Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The Stupid is Postponed

Mali's armed forces aren't capable of taking on the Tuaregs. France needs the Tuaregs to go after the remaining jihadis in Mali. So France needs Mali's government to stop being stupid. We're in a pause, at least:

Mali has reached a deal with Tuareg separatist rebels paving the way for Malian government troops to return to the rebel-held northern town of Kidal ahead of planned elections in July, Mali's chief negotiator said on Tuesday.

The African Union may have a taboo about changing borders left over from colonial days, but we have no reason to expend efforts to defend them. If Tuaregs prove more effective in fighting jihadis, I have no problem with supporting the Tuaregs. If France wants to fight jihadis and Tuaregs, I wish them the best.

If Mali's government proves capable of fighting jihadis--which they failed to do last year when they fled the Tuareg-jihadi alliance in the north--then I have no problem supporting the Mali government.

Because fighting the jihadis is our permanent interest, I'm flexible on our friends.