Paris attacks underline the threat from foreign jihadists

FRENCH President Francois Hollande has announced he will travel to Washington and Moscow on Nov 24 and 26 to meet US and Russian presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin respectively. The meetings come at a time of growing alignment among the three over coordination of an intensified military response to the so-called Islamic State (IS) after the Paris attacks.

Separately, Mr Putin announced on Tuesday that the Russian aeroplane that was downed in Egypt on Oct 31 was an act of terrorism by IS. He also declared on Tuesday that he has ordered his navy to cooperate with its French counterparts as "allies", and to "work out a plan with them of joint sea and air actions", potentially representing the first time since World War Two that Paris and Moscow have jointly fought against a common enemy.

With Mr Hollande visiting Washington and Moscow next week, this could presage a significant intensification in the bombing campaign in Syria. To this end, the French government is moving the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier this week to the Middle East to bolster its military prowess in the region.