current connection #1: Mali conflict

In a "LA Times" article by David S. Cloud, Shashank Bengali and Kin Dilanian, called Mali conflict exposes White House-Pentagon split, the world is informed on the war containing murky ties to Al Qaeda, creating havoc in West Africa.

"Although no one is suggesting that the groups pose an imminent threat to the United States, the French military intervention in Mali and a terrorist attack against an international gas complex in neighboring Algeria have prompted sharp Obama administration debate over whether the militants present enough of a risk to U.S. allies or interests to warrant a military response." Top American officials believe that without U.S reaction to acts of this sort of trouble, Mali will turn into another extremist terrorist base such as Afghanistan before September 11, 2001. Yet the Obama administration is unclear whether the Mali insurgents are members of the group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, threaten the U.S.

The same top ranking officials worry about "being drawn into a messy and possibly long-running conflict against an elusive enemy in Mali, a vast landlocked country abutting the Sahara desert, just as U.S. forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan". Which would leave the United States further in dept for an unnecessary cause. Also what need is there to put the lives of our troops in danger when there is no direct threat to American soil to be found?

The French, who are already sending troops to fight off the insurgents have asked America for transportation of 500 to 600 armed troops, with vehicles and armour."The Pentagon is planning to begin ferrying additional French troops and equipment to Mali in coming days aboard U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo jets, according to Air Force Maj. Robert Firman, a Pentagon spokesman". Although the ideal runway is still being tested to see if it can withstand holding the weight of the massive C-17 cargo jet without crumbling away. If not there will be a secondary airport where troops will switch to another, smaller plane, to be transported the rest of their journey.

This article grabbed my attention immediately, for overseas affairs, such as wars, are very easy to get to the point of without reading an essay. If it isn't clear i am a very "to the point" person therefore the best reads follow those guidelines. Not only is this important for the fact people are dying, yet our country could become involved in a very short instance which could possibly affect me very directly. With the price of war, loved ones being shipped over, or even potentially myself going if it is drawn out long enough."I think the U.S. ambivalence about moving into Mali is very understandable," said Richard Barrett" This shows support from officials of the U.S becoming involved, thus proving my point.

In conclusion, with America on the toes of war, France already involve, this may be more of an immanent threat then perceived in those interviewed for this article.