France sacks up against al-Qaeda in Africa. World is tickled pink.
I like to keep an eye on the baddies of this world so that real Amuricanz can sleep well at night. Today we take a look at Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). They like to hang out in North African countries (like Mauritania, Mali and Algeria) and hold AQIM fund-raisers (kidnapping foreigners and running drugs)... because how else is Al-Qaeda going to buy killings machines and what not?
The big deal recently is the fact that the French are getting involved in the fight against AQIM in Africa. Yes, those snail-eating, war-losing, "whatever, it doesn't matter" Shirleys are sacking up because AQIM decided to kidnap some French people. According to Arab daily Alarabiya, French special forces recently staged an attack in Mali in search of one French national, and provided "technical and logistical support" to the Mauritanian army for one of their raids against AQIM as well.
Seriously, why does this matter? In February Defense Secretary Robert Gates dissed Europe hard at a NATO meeting by saying that the new peaceful Europe, while nice and all, is endangering the world:
"The demilitarization of Europe -- where large swaths of the general public and political class are averse to military force and the risks that go with it -- has gone from a blessing in the 20th century to an impediment to achieving real security and lasting peace in the 21st."
In so many words, Gates asked Europe to help us out in our fight against Al-Qaeda and other various global goons. While, if I had to pick, I probably would not have asked the French to lend a hand (I'd pick Serbia...kidding, sorta) it's better than nothing.