Jill LangloisJanuary 31, 2013 11:14

Traore said he was determined "to organize as soon as possible...or before July 31, 2013, clean elections that are transparent and credible."

Tom FentonJanuary 31, 2013 07:14

Obama’s cautious foreign policy has proved right so far

Commentary: Events, not intentions, will shape his record in the second term.

Enlarge

US President Barack Obama waves to supporters after his victory speech at McCormick Place on election night Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago, Ill. The president was sworn in for his second term in office on Jan. 21, 2013, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

this story is part of globalpost's continuing coverage of world business. for more visit our new business page.

President Obama’s first term failed to live up to the expectations of the left wing of his party, which hoped for a more radical change in domestic policy. His second term is likely to disappoint another important constituency — the media and foreign policy elites in Washington, D.C.

Mali: Kidal airport now controlled by French troops

Samantha Stainburn and Tristan McConnellJanuary 30, 2013 10:58

NAIROBI — French troops on Wednesday reclaimed the airport in Kidal, in northern Mali, as France and Malian forces advanced in battle against Islamist extremists in the last major town under rebel control. But the next phase — defeating the Islamist groups in the vast Sahara's desert and mountains — will be the most difficult.

Jessica PhelanJanuary 30, 2013 07:56

Chatter: Mali rebels lose last stronghold

French troops take control of the Mali rebels' final stronghold, South Korea launches its first space rocket, and it's lucky the Pope's peace dove is no pacifist.

Enlarge

Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

French troops take control of the Mali rebels' final stronghold, South Korea launches its first space rocket, and it's lucky the Pope's peace dove is no pacifist.

Jessica PhelanJanuary 29, 2013 07:52

Chatter: Britain's going to Mali

International support for the war in Mali takes concrete shape, Egyptian protesters ignore President Morsi's orders, and the world sends yet more animals into space.

Enlarge

Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

International support for the war in Mali takes concrete shape, Egyptian protesters ignore President Morsi's orders, and the world sends yet more animals into space.

Mali: Life under Al Qaeda

Tristan McConnellJanuary 29, 2013 07:00

BAMAKO, Mali — Suleiman Traore was at home in the afternoon playing with his 3-year-old daughter while his wife prepared soup for dinner, when two pick up trucks packed with masked, armed militants flying black flags pulled up outside. They rushed into his compound, firing shots in the air and shouting “Allahu akbar.” “That’s how everything started,” he said.

Mali: Timbuktu manuscripts not gone forever after all

Priyanka Boghani, Tristan McConnell and Paul AmesJanuary 28, 2013 10:44

NAIROBI — Amid the concern and confusion about the extent of damage to the Ahmed Baba Institute and other libraries in Timbuktu, many of which are family-run, there was also hope that many of the manuscripts may in fact have been saved.

Jessica PhelanJanuary 28, 2013 08:01

Chatter: Mali's rebels are losing ground

Malian and French troops have taken Timbuktu airport from the rebels, Egypt declares a partial state of emergency, and Brazil mourns its fire dead.

Enlarge

Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

Malian and French troops have taken Timbuktu airport from the rebels, Egypt declares a partial state of emergency, and Brazil mourns its fire dead.

Mali crisis: French-led troops secure Timbuktu

Mariya KarimjeeJanuary 27, 2013 09:57

French-led troops in Mali have begun restoring government control in the key northern town of Timbuktu.

Militants in Mali have destroyed strategic bridge to Niger

Faine Greenwood and Tristan McConnellJanuary 25, 2013 09:29

BAMAKO, Mali — Islamists destroy bridge on the road to Gao, a Malian city occupied by extremists, as French launch air strikes.