Iran Incident

The swift resolution of the British military hostage crisis without further recrimination could end up defusing the larger crisis of relations with Iran, which otherwise seemed headed for disaster.

The action was directly authorized by the ayatollahs, the timing to be driven by any U.N. action against Iran. The Revolutionary Guards told their Fearless Leaders they could take a small number of captives anytime they were directed. The theocrats went for hostage-taking, an act against international law but thoroughly in line with local traditions, out of desperation; they were feeling the menace of U.S. forces and wanted to show an ability to retaliate.

Other Actors:
Ahmadinejad's positive role seemed thoroughly scripted--the domestic political equivalent of The Good Cop, doing his best to keep those nasty Americans from invading our country. Tony Blair played it about right to minimize the chances of an unhappy outcome, and the British probably thanked the stars that this didn't happen a year from now, when post-Blair chaos will be underway. I'm sure Condi was HOLDING BACK DUBYA, for once successfully. The ayatollahs were more than ready to pursue this thing much further but got the result they wanted (release of our hostages).

When it comes to playing covert action hardball with these guys, US, better watch out. They have much greater ability to execute illegal policies than we, as we lack the subtlety.