While the world was caught up in a waiting game between a Islamic terrorist and France Wednesday night, little notice was paid to the military coup in Mali. The tiny Islamic country nestled in the heart of Africa was rocked last night as members of the military seized first the local television stations, and then the presidential palace, arresting several ministers and the obligatory looting that always follows.

Considered one of the few true democracies in Africa, it will have to be seen how it all plays out, after they get done tearing everything apart that is.  President Amadou Toumani Toure currently is MIA, though some media reports say he is being protected by his presidential guard at an army camp, as the ousting draws little international concern and condemnation.

The band of mutineers, calling themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy, said their move was prompted by government's "inability" to put down a Tuareg-led insurrection in the north. It should be noted that this was ignited when the demise of Muammar Gaddafi sparked the return of hundreds of heavily-armed Tuareg rebels who had fought for him in Libya and were ready to take up a decades-long struggle for independence. President Obama's response was well, lackluster as usual; maybe we will cut your countries aid, maybe. From VOA:

The United States is considering a cutoff in non-humanitarian aid to Mali after the apparent overthrow of Mali's President Amadou Toumani Toure by mutinous soldiers.

The U.S. State Department says federal agencies will meet Thursday to discuss the future of about $140 million in economic, security, and anti-terrorism funding. Humanitarian aid would not be affected.

Earlier, the White House joined the African Union, European Union and other world institutions in condemning the takeover.

On a side note, in 1975 Suriname became the first Islamic country in our side of the globe. With Iran and Hezb'allah spreading influence throughout the region alongside Venezuela, it won't belong before we have a serious problem in our backyard, besides the Mexican drug war that is.

Maybe president Obama can send his kids there on vacation too.