Monday's global agenda: US expands Mali role

Your morning global affairs speed-read

The Obama administration has agreed to help France's intervention in Mali by providing “logistics help, satellite intelligence and in-flight refueling for French warplanes” that are rolling back the Islamist militants who have taken over the northern part of the country, according to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. France has also reportedly asked for help from U.S. drones.

Pay up: Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta left today for a farewell tour of Europe, where he's expected to press America's allies for more contributions to defense spending. Panetta will visit Portugal, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.

New blood: President Obama receives the credentials of new foreign ambassadors at the White House this afternoon. 

The following ambassadors are set to attend: 

His Excellency Ryszard Marian Schnepf, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland

His Excellency Kenichiro Sasae, Ambassador of Japan

His Excellency Palan Mulonda, Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia

His Excellency Altangerel Bulgaa , Ambassador of Mongolia

His Excellency Kairat Umarov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan

His Excellency Fernando Antonio Pfannl Caballero, Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay

His Excellency Aunese Makoi Simati, Ambassador of Tuvalu

His Excellency Ahmed Sareer, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives

His Excellency Eduardo Medina Mora Icaza, Ambassador of the United Mexican States (aka Mexico)

Beforehand, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is meeting with Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House.

Summit prep: Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman is in London all week attending G-8 meetings. The U.K. took over presidency of the group this month and will host the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – as well as the European Union – on April 10 and 11.

Globetrotters: Republican leaders are on their way back from a trip to Israel and Afghanistan. The trip was led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and included Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). 

The senators met with “U.S. military personnel, military officials and political leaders to discuss political, economic and security issues affecting bilateral and regional relations. In addition to visiting with troops from their respective states, the senators met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Maj. Gen. Larry Nicholson and Gen. John Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force. The delegation returns to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.”

Let's talk it over: Negotiations resume today in Cuba between Colombia's government and leftist rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). A FARC cease-fire is set to end Jan. 20.

In other news: 

Sour relations with Russia threaten Obama's second-term foreign-policy agenda. [The Washington Post]

Egypt court orders Mubarak retrial. [The Wall Street Journal]

China's space activities are raising U.S. satellite security concerns. [Reuters]

Lobbying and regulations:

BLJ Worldwide LTD is working for the China-United States Exchange Foundation regarding "services in support of the ChinaUSFocus.com website. This will include sourcing content to submit to the Foundation and performing periodic general promotional activities. This is in addition to our existing work with the Foundation to promote CUSEF's interests and activities in the U.S., including expanding third-party supporters, generating media placements, and arranging visits for delegations to China."

The State Department has scheduled a meeting of its Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) for Feb. 27 to prepare for the 21st session of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Flag State Implementation Sub-Committee.

Global Affairs news you might have missed: 

Obama: US forces supported France in failed rescue mission in Somalia

Foreign policy battle between McCain, Rand Paul to hit Senate committee

Obama supports French intervention in Mali

Obama, Karzai announce reduced role for US military in Afghanistan

State Department: Oil rule ‘directly advances’ US foreign policy

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