The loss of three French soldiers in Mali this week is a solemn reminder of that nation’s commitment to Western security. France’s counterterrorism effort, codenamed Operation Barkhane, deserves continued U.S. military support.
The soldiers were killed when an improvised explosive device targeted their patrol in the terrorist stronghold that marks the border intersection of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Saluting their sacrifice, President Emmanuel Macron expressed “his complete confidence in the French soldiers deployed in the Sahel, salutes their courage and recalls France’s determination to continue the fight against terrorism.”
But France faces a challenge which, behind the scenes, sits front and center in many U.S.-French military-to-military discussions. Namely, the U.S. military’s rising interest in shifting more intelligence assets to the Pacific region. As it relates to Mali, France fears the loss of U.S. military support in terms of strategic lift (getting troops into and out of Africa) and critical intelligence assets. The U.S. military has unique access to a wide range of satellites, signals, and real-time monitoring assets such as drones. Employed in support of French ground forces, these tools allow for the effective identification and targeting of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and associated terrorist groups. France deserves continued support.
True, the U.S. rightly has concerns over France’s inadequate defense spending and Paris’s relationship with Beijing. On entering office, President Biden will have to act quickly and robustly to ensure that Macron does not gravitate further into China’s orbit. Still, considering al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s interest in developing so-called “spectacular” attack plots against the West, including with biological and chemical weapons, Operation Barkhane should not be seen simply as a French counterterrorism mission. It is a mission in defense of civilian and democratic interests in Africa and globally. The best course of action is for the Pentagon to ensure that Operation Barkhane receives sustained support at least for the next two to three years. That timeline will give France and its European Union allies a window to develop their own capabilities to replace the U.S. assets currently supporting this mission. The U.S. assets can then be transferred as European capabilities come online.
However, the basic point is the simplest. There is no greater testament to an alliance than a nation’s willingness to support a friend who is under fire. In Operation Barkhane, France is under fire in a fight for all our interests. It deserves America’s continued support.
