U.S. Considers direct strikes against "Al-Qaeda" in Mali:
The U.S. Is likely to weigh options ranging from military assistance to direct strikes to drive a growing al-Qaida presence out of the coup-wracked African nation of Mali, a Pentagon official said Thursday Ref. Source 9
North Mali on verge of war
The prospect of a war in northern Mali has taken a major step forward with European governments backing an international force to retake the region from Islamist groups.While preparations begin for a military intervention, reports...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Islam
Pentagon planning for multinational military operation in Mali:
The international force would be led on the ground by several thousand Malian and West African troops but would receive extensive support from the Pentagon and the State Department, which would help train, equip and transport the troops, Obama administration officials said. Ref. Source 9
US "Inadvertently" creates a terrorist haven in Mali:
This catastrophe did not "Just happen." It is the direct result of an episode that may at first seem unrelated: the US-led intervention in Libya last year. Rarely in recent times has there been a more vivid example of how such interventions can produce devastating unexpected results. Ref. Source 3
U.S. May give $32M to train African troops in Mali:
The Obama administration is seeking an additional $32 million to train African troops to fight Islamic extremists in Mali. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters Friday the request had been made to Congress. Ref. Source 2
The Associated Press says it has discovered a confidential letter written by a senior al-Qaeda commander, spelling out the terror network's strategy for conquering northern Mali. AP says the nine-page letter, found on the floor of a house occupied by the fighters, is signed by Abdelmalek Droukdel, the leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Ref. USAToday