Colonial sentiment or not, the French plan is to hand off Mali to U.N. and African forces and exit completely after elections in July.

WSJ: Anne Jolis: Too Quiet on Mali's Southern Front

When the states themselves don't want to get involved and hand something over to the U.N.

WSJ: The Weekend Interview with Charles Hill: The Empire Strikes Back

"Let's be preemptive here and contain it now before it does get out of hand, " said David Kaatrud of the U.N.

NPR: U.N. Weighs Force to Protect Darfur Aid Efforts