(CNN)A hint of France's expected response to the Charlie Hebdo slaughter -- and a claim of responsibility by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula for the rampage that claimed 12 lives -- came in remarks President Francois Hollande made aboard his country's nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier before it embarked to the Middle East. "The exceptional situation that we're in must lead us to revise our rhythm for reducing personnel," Hollande said Wednesday, referring to military cuts planned before the attacks. That exceptional situation was a terrorist rampage that was years in the works, an AQAP leader said in a video, claiming U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki was the mastermind. Al-Awlaki was the terror group's spokesman before a U.S. drone strike killed him in Yemen in 2011.
@highlight
France's response to Charlie Hebdo attack colored by many factors
@highlight
Cleric Anwar al-Awlaki masterminded rampage, terror leader says
@highlight
France moves in the direction of military force against terrorism, expert says
"I would think the @placeholder is doing about everything that could be done in Yemen."