On the same day President Obama announced he would speed the U.S. exit from Afghanistan starting this spring and turn all combat against the Taliban over to the Afghans, French President Francois Hollande dispatched troops to Mali to help its beleaguered army push Islamic terrorists out of the country's north.

"Terrorists" was Mr. Hollande's word. As to the commitment, he said, "The operation will last as long as needed."

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