Episode Notes:

On August 18, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown in a coup. Keita resigned after being detained at gunpoint by a military junta calling themselves National Committee for the Salvation of the People. Their spokesperson said the coup was launched to prevent Mali from descending into further chaos after weeks of protests. The fate of Keita is currently unknown.

Michael Shurkin — senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation and an expert on French defense policy and West Africa — joins the Warcast to discuss the latest in Mali.

Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelShurkin

[ 0:54 ] What led to the coup in Mali?

[ 02:28 ]  What do you think the coup will mean for the international security presence in Mali?

[ 07:15 ]  How will France respond to Mali’s coup given other national security challenges?