'France fighting Mali Islamists while supporting extremists in Syria'

A French pilot has been killed in fighting in Mali, as the European nation continues to launch air strikes against Islamist militants. It comes after Mali's government troops chased rebels out of the key central town of Konna - aided by the French military. The UN Security Council called for a 'speedy deployment' of international forces to battle the rebels - who'd seized the north of the country last April, and since made significant advances.

President Hollande announced on Friday that the intervention in Mali 'would last as long as necessary'. France-based independent journalist Robert Harneis believes that French foreign policy contradicts itself.

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[Islandretreat]

A century ago there was much said by French Prime Minister M Combes and in editorial columns about the Assumption Fathers and Jesuits extending the Church of Rome's influence over the the French Army and French Legislature. Roman Catholic Orders professing to be religious organisations working for spiritual ends when in truth they're political organisations and military orders serving the Temporal Power. That's why "the European nation" (in the description) is bombing Islamists for the Pope.

[PhotoFalling]

Well, i don't know. It just seems a sign of the kind of future we are facing, fighting over resources and the privatisation of war.

[Hodoss]

What do you mean by private contractors ? Mercenaries ? As far as I know the French army doesn't use mercenaries, which doesn't mean that it's all clean and fair, but concerning this point it is not at all in the french mentality et and military tradition.

[PhotoFalling]

Yeah it seems that simple. I wonder how long before they start using the private contractors exclusively to fight the war.

[Hodoss]

Well (I'm just guessing) maybe because this north african uranium is closer to France, and also because of some cultural/political ties due to these countries being former french colonies. Meanwhile, China is closer to you (Australia) so shipping is faster and esasier too.

[Hodoss]

Thank you for correcting me you are abolutely right ! I mixed up Mali and Niger, the mine is actually in west Niger, which is close to north Mali and would be threatened by an "Al Qaida" ruled Mali. Of course I'm not saying that this was all only due to Uranium, but it is one factor I guess.

[Remi P]

It's a pure russian propaganda, i remind you that they support bachar el assad. And they want to convince us they are also threatened by terrorist?