What are your thoughts on the current situation in Mali?

I’m surprised I haven’t seen a question about this yet. The French have recently been fighting alongside the Malian government against Islamist rebels who have been seizing power in the north of the country. Many people see this situation analogous to the Taliban and Afghanistan. Do you think Mali may be the next Afghanistan? Should the United States get involved (it doesn’t seem likely)? Is it worth trying to stop these radical Islamist groups from taking over countries and imposing strict sharia law?

http://www.voanews.com/content/mali-rebels-france/1584622.html