World View: France Sends Troops to Central African Republic

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

• France sends troops to Central African Republic in chaos
• France's army confronts Islamist fighters in northern Mali
• Leader of Syria's National Coalition resigns
• Israel fires surface-to-surface missile into Syria
• Politicians work all night to break Cyprus deadlock

France sends troops to Central African Republic in chaos

Seleka rebels pose for photo op in front of suburban gendarmerie (police station) in January (Getty)

A rebel coalition calling itself "Seleka" has attacked the capital city Bangui of Central African Republic (CAR) on Sunday, in a fierce battle that killed nine South African soldiers, among 400 that were deployed in the country as military trainers. President Francois Bozize was forced to flee, and is thought to be in hiding in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Bangui, a city of 600,000 people, is itself is in total chaos, with open looting and violence. France is calling for an emergency meeting of United Nations Security Council. France already had 250 soldiers in Central African Republic, and is sending another 300 troops, to stabilize the situation and provide protection for the 1,200 French citizens in the country. South Africa will send additional troops as well. CAR is 80% Christian. Reuters

France's army confronts Islamist fighters in northern Mali

Mali's army, backed by troops from France and Chad, say that they've repelled attack on the city of Gao in northern Mali by al-Qaeda linked Islamists. The Islamists had controlled Gao for 10 months, until they were driven out by French forces in an operation that began in January. It's thought that the Islamists have been hiding in caves in the surrounding area, preparing to return when the French forces leave. France has 4,000 troops in Mali, and hopes to being withdrawal at the end of April. AFP

Leader of Syria's National Coalition resigns

The leader of Syria's opposition National Coalition, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, has resigned, following a meeting with the European Union which, he said has achieved nothing:

"I announce my resignation from the National Coalition, so that I can work with a freedom that cannot possibly be had in an official institution.

For the past two years, we have been slaughtered by an unprecedentedly vicious regime, while the world has looked on.

All the destruction of Syria's infrastructure, the detention of tens of thousands of people, the forced flight of hundreds of thousands and other forms of suffering have been insufficient for the international community to take a decision to allow the people to defend themselves."

His description of what's been going on is certainly accurate. The various "peace plans" put forward by the European Union, the United Nations, and the Arab League, have all been total farces and have actually made the situation worse, because the regime of Bashar al-Assad has used them as a cover, pretending to be working for peace while stepping up massive attacks on innocent women and children in cities across the country, with the full support and cooperation with the Russians. The Syria situation makes a mockery and a joke of the United Nations. Al Jazeera

Israel fires surface-to-surface missile into Syria

Israel's army fired a surface-to-surface missile from Golan into Syria on Sunday, destroying a Syrian army position. The missile was a response to gunfire from Syria that targeted Israeli soldiers patrolling the border. Reportedly, two Syrian soldiers were wounded. Jerusalem Post

Politicians work all night to break Cyprus deadlock

Cyprus's politicians, meeting with European finance ministers in Brussels, are working around the clock to convince the Europeans that they've done enough to deserve the 10 billion euro bailout. The Europeans want Cyprus to come up with more money by restructuring the banking system and by levying money from depositors. It now appears that accounts containing over 100,000 euros will face a levy of 25%. If no deal is reached on Monday, then Cyprus's banks may collapse completely on Tuesday. In anticipation, the Cyprus central bank is imposing a daily withdrawal limit of 100 euros form ATMs, to prevent a bank run. AP

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