The end of another Iranian hostage crisis

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I haven't commented on Iran's release of the 15 British sailors and marines -- it was a major story yesterday and hardly needed my comment (although I did previously address the crisis here, here, and here) -- but it's obviously excellent news.

For more on the context and consequences of the crisis, I highly recommend this Q&A at the BBC. The release of the captives was "a triumph for pragmatists in the Iranian leadership". It was pragmatic, but also strategic. Perhaps Iran thinks it looks good for having released the captives. Perhaps it will seek concessions with respect to the development of its nuclear program.

We shall see, but it hardly seems likely that Iran has in any way strengthened its position as a result of this crisis. If anything, it has only magnified the ire of its opponents.

And rightly so is that ire magnified.