Propaganda Coup
British Sailors Released
You have to hand it to the Iranians. They played this whole British capture and release quite masterfully. Not only did they make sure to treat the captured sailors well to contrast with US treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib, Guantanemo, Bagram, and other bases, but they now appear magnanimous by releasing them without requiring the British Government to admit any guilt. It makes them look like the reasonable and level-headed party who's willing to be generous to avoid further confrontation and by default, makes the UK and particularly the US, look like the stubborn boneheads unwilling to compromise.
It would be interesting to know what the truth is, but I'm not holding my breath that we'll find that out anytime soon.
