France’s intervention in Mali over the last few days hasn’t received that much notice in the Anglophone press. It has now been joined by Britain, providing logistical support and supplies, which may change that. The Observer has the story here, and there is a BBC report here. Much should be said about the depiction of any separatist or rebel group as terrorists, the linking of just about any Islamic group to al-Qaeda, about the absolute valorisation of the territorial integrity of the state, and the colonial power or powers getting involved again, even if at the behest of the government and with UN sanction. The intervention precedes a planned multi-national African force later this year.

Juan Cole at Informed Comment has some useful discussion and links.