At present it is outside the 53, 000-strong peacekeeping force's chain of command.

ECONOMIST: Another blow to the war to win hearts and minds

Abizaid recommended giving the current Air Force commander more authority, strengthening the chain of command and providing more regular oversight.

WSJ: Dover Military Mortuary Sent Some 9/11 Remains to Landfill

That will allow China to move up the value chain and redeploy its labor force away from assembling high tech products and sewing fabric together.

FORBES: Is China The Next EU?

The chain had grown to become a force in the regional market and the original owners had sold out to an investment group long ago.

FORBES: A Word of Warning

The JOBS Act accomplishes private offering rules reforms, implements many of the recommendations of the IPO Task Force and endeavors to create a healthy equity market food chain.

FORBES: With the JOBS Act, Congress Throws Open the Door for Private Stock Offerings

With France having played the initial leading role, how will its chain of command be integrated with that of the West African force?

BBC: Can France achieve its goals in Mali?