The Islamist uprising in the north African country of Mali continued to escalate yesterday, with hostilities spilling over the country's borders. As many as 20 militants stormed an oil field in Algeria, taking nearly 40 foreign hostages, including American and British citizens.

Twenty of the hostages, including Americans, have since escaped from their captors.

Now, worries are that a localized crisis in Mali may spread throughout the region. J. Peter Pham is the director of the Michael S. Ansari Africa Center at the Atlantic Council.