Blake Hounshell : Critics focus on Obama 's fiery tone at hearing , not more pressing issue . `` And instability in Mali has created an expanding safe haven for terrorists who look to extend their influence and plot further attacks of the kind we saw just last week in Algeria . '' He says focus should be danger of U.S. being drawn into fighting extremists in N. Africa . He says it 's not clear what threat al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb poses to America Hounshell : U.S. should lead from way behind French , African forces while developing strategy .
Blake Hounshell : Critics focus on Obama 's fiery tone at hearing , not more pressing issue . He says focus should be danger of U.S. being drawn into fighting extremists in N. Africa . He says it 's not clear what threat al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb poses to America Hounshell : U.S. should lead from way behind French , African forces while developing strategy .