U.S. Decides To Assist The French In The Mali Conflict

U.S. Agrees To Help French Fly Troops To Mali -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration has agreed to a French request for military transport planes to help move French troops and equipment to Mali, but has yet to decide whether to provide surveillance aircraft and tankers to refuel French fighters, U.S. and Western officials said.

The limited U.S. response to the French request reflects White House concern about being pulled into another costly conflict after 11 years of war in Afghanistan.

France would pay nearly $20 million to reimburse the U.S. for the cargo plane deployments, Western officials said.

"We have some unique airlift capability, and we are working with the French to provide them support in moving troops and equipment," said White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor.

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Update #1: White House: U.S. readying help for France in Mali -- The E-Ring/Foreign Policy
Update #2: How the U.S. Might Help France in Mali -- The Atlantic
Update #3: Aid Pledged to Mali as More Troops Deploy -- Wall Street Journal

My Comment: After one week the U.S. has decided to step in and help an ally. The U.S. is sooo MIA on the Mali conflict.