Jessica PhelanJanuary 24, 2013 10:01

Mali's Ansar Dine rebel group has split — and the new faction wants to begin peace talks. In a statement to Radio France Internationale, the splinter group announced that it was called the Islamic Movement for Azawad (MIA) and would be led by a former senior figure in Ansar Dine, Alghabass Ag Intallah.

Egyptian President Morsi opposes French intervention in Mali

Priyanka Boghani and Erin CunninghamJanuary 22, 2013 11:24

Morsi said he had hoped for a more "peaceful and developmental" approach to the Mali conflict.

US begins transporting French troops to Mali

Tristan McConnell and Paul AmesJanuary 22, 2013 10:48

DIABALY, Mali — The United States has begun transporting French troops and equipment to Mali, a US official said on Tuesday. But back in France, some politicians are questioning whether French soldiers are even ready for a ground operation.

Diabaly: French and Malian troops enter key central town

Priyanka BoghaniJanuary 21, 2013 11:30

The town had been subject to airstrikes and fighting since the Islamist rebels seized it a week ago, but the French and Malian troops were able to enter without any resistance.

French flags flying high in Mali as troops arrive

David TrifunovJanuary 18, 2013 19:07

Newspaper editors and bloggers alike are proclaiming the French troops as heroes and declaring French President Francois Hollande one of their own, “Hollande le Malien” an editorial suggested.

Hollande gambles on Mali victory

Paul AmesJanuary 18, 2013 07:00

BRUSSELS — Any hopes that France's war in Mali would be a straightforward affair evaporated like rain in the desert Wednesday, when the Islamist warriors of the "Signed-in-Blood Battalion" shot up an Algerian natural gas plant and took dozens of foreigners hostage.

Algeria hostage crisis: As many as 34 hostages killed (UPDATE)

Jessica PhelanJanuary 17, 2013 08:57

The captors in Algeria have demanded an end to France's campaign against Islamist insurgents in Mali, as well as the release of 100 Islamist prisoners.

Jessica PhelanJanuary 17, 2013 08:07

Chatter: Algeria hostage crisis threatens to send Mali conflict global

It looks like the conflict in Mali has spread to Algeria, President Obama enters the fight for tougher gun control, and almost everyone is jumping ship on Boeing's Dreamliner.

Enlarge

Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

It looks like the conflict in Mali has spread to Algeria, President Obama enters the fight for tougher gun control, and almost everyone is jumping ship on Boeing's Dreamliner.

French president faces a potential Mali quagmire

Tristan McConnellJanuary 16, 2013 10:20

NAIROBI — As French special forces fight Mali’s Islamist rebels in the streets of Diabaly today, President Francois Hollande’s hopes for a quick win are fading. Despite claims that the conflict would be over in weeks, the reality of fighting a formidable enemy in a vast, hostile Saharan landscape means France will likely be at war for months.

Jessica PhelanJanuary 16, 2013 08:01

Chatter: French troops gear up for ground combat in Mali

French troops prepare for their first ground assault in Mali, a helicopter crashes over central London, and Scrabble is - allegedly - getting easier.

Enlarge

Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

French troops prepare for their first ground assault in Mali, a helicopter crashes over central London, and Scrabble is - allegedly - getting easier.