Mali: Junta remains defiant, finding it 'politically profitable to antagonize France'

As relations between France and Mali sour rapidly, Paris is wondering whether it is time to stop providing military backup to a country run by a junta that has defied the international community. Michael Shurkin, Director of Global Programs at 14 North Strategies, joins France 24 and describes a "mutual dependence" between the two countries. "It's all about bilateral (military) cooperation," explains, Mr. Shurkin, "and if this vicious circle of mutual antagonization at the political level keeps going on, it will end up basically sabotaging the entire military effort. And it's clear to me that the winners here are the insurgents."