Mali Conflict Highlights New Military and Security Challenges

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidblair/100200080/the-fight-against-al-qaeda-in-mali-could-be-a-sign-of-how-the-wests-wars-are-fought-in-future/?goback=%2Egde_4657639_member_208292595

This item in the UK's Daily Telegraph highlights the nature of conflict in the post Afghanistan and Iraq Era.  One of the characteristics of conflict in North and Sub-Saharan Africa is that they may hinge on company and battalion size engagements rather than armored divisions and large air forces.  They also, as in the case of Afghanistan also involve complicated ethnic and religious relationships.  Threat and political risk analysts will not have an easy time advising clients investing in Africa nor in advising on transportation security.