Al Qaeda’s Dangerous Play in Mali

When France took up the challenge of defeating al Qaeda’s franchise in northern Mali, it took on a very well-armed and well-funded group. Since the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001, al Qaeda hasn’t had a foothold this significant, and its offshoot in Africa poses a serious threat to not only Africa but the West, too. While Washington, for now, has elected to take the backseat in this fight, the United States has a big stake in the outcome.

Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/15/al-qaeda-s-dangerous-play-in-mali.html