Publication

In 2013, the war in Mali and the militant attack in Algeria are popularly being seen as the start of a new phase of the war on terror across North and West Africa. The author argues that this is a dangerous simplification of a much more complex problem and risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. He advocates a limited intervention in Malian affairs. He also cautions against the use of air power in rebel-held areas, recommends a primarily defensive Western intervention and advocates addressing long-term marginalization as the root cause of conflict in Mali.