Mali: The next Afghanistan?

Time and time again, the world finds itself in chaos and America intervened to save democracy and protect its self-interests. However, after the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, many Americans are thinking twice about  getting involved in wars. But after all the roles that America has played in the world, do we have a choice anymore? The question many Americans are asking today is, "Will America get involved?"

Currently, America is not directly involved with troops. France has taken the reigns and is sending troops to fight over Mali and reclaim the recently overthrown democratic government. French troops are being supplied by American industries, and America is leading fuel and airstrike missions in Mali. America has yet to send any troops over there, and I believe that this choice is the right thing to do.

Mali is a landlocked country and surrounded by seven fragile countries. If it is to fall, it could pose serious threats and force all of Africa into control by the Islamic militants. This could threaten the American views of democracy and seriously increase the chances of a future 9/11 attack. In this case, however, France is in control of the defense; and if America were to supply them with whatever is needed, the need for troops will not be required. Americans have become weary of war and fear the consequences of a future war. Nobody wants send our soldiers over there and threaten their lives. Our technology today enables us to send drones to Mali that could help the French. The need to send troops is nonexistant, the only plausible support to send troops is to support the French.

As stated by a U.S. official, intervention in Mali could take years to complete. Many are saying that it is the War in Afghanistan all over again, and that only complete U.S. intervention could solve the turmoil. However, this is not the case. America is a world power, but so is France. As our ethnocentric views have labeled most European countries as militarily inferior, in reality this is far from the case. In fact, right now the tides have turned in France's favor almost as soon as France landed in Mali. The insurgents are hiding in mountains and rapidly losing ground. It seems as if France has learned from the mistakes of America in Afghanistan and tried better techniques on the war against terror.

So Americans today may continue asking if we are going to get involved, but in reality it is not necessary and in fact could end up being a burden to our economy once again. By simply supplying the French military, our goal of keeping terrorism on the low is accomplished and many American lives are saved.




Citations

Formanek, Ingrid, Pierre Meilhan, and Barbara Starr. "U.S. Steps up Involvement in Mali." CNN. Cable News Network, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.


Press, Associated. "US Official: Mali Intervention ‘could Take Years’; Militants Were Trained by Gadhafi’s Libya." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.


"Wickham: U.S. Military Role in Mali Not Far off." USA Today. Gannett, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.