I'm not saying that the UK hasn't been brave and forthright allies.
No, not all.
What I am saying is that I haven't seen the UK act this decisively since the Falklands.
No talk, no debate, no public outcry just a get it done attitude.
They're talking airplanes. Yeah right and I'm a liberal from New York State. You can bet that the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and Special Air Service (SAS) are already on the ground in Mali or on the way. They probably have other forces staging too. But I digress check this out from SkyNews.
The RAF C17 is stopping off in Paris first to load before a 10-hour flight to the West African country and will not arrive there before tomorrow, the sources added.It comes after Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister had agreed to provide "logistical military assistance" to the French.David Cameron spoke to Francois Hollande on Saturday evening as France attempted to contain al Qaeda-linked rebels in the north of the West African country.French fighter jets and attack helicopters launched fresh strikes on Islamist strongholds in northern Mali on Sunday.Prominent Islamist leader Abdel Krim - nicknamed "Kojak" - is reported to have been killed in the strikes.Read the rest, including a video report at their site. I find this all so fucking ironic I can't see straight.
The UK and France have been chomping to get out of Afghanistan (can't blame them, they've done their bit) and before they can properly clear that AO, they jump in with both feet into Africa!
Even the US which has targeted Africa for future operations (so called partnerships) hasn't been as aggressive as these two nations.
Remember the amphibious mechanized raid that the Royal Marines carried out in the middle of 2012? Now this.
I'm surprised and amazed. Much more of this and China will be effectively stalemated on that continent.