I’m struck by how quintessentially KGB-like this whole event has been. Conjure a crisis out of thin air, create it, milk the uncertainty and fear that attends it, then solve the problem, to the relief and gratitude of all concerned . . .

Gee — when you consider how far out of hand this crisis could have gotten, we really have to appreciate the good intentions of the peace-loving, temperate and kind-to-hostages Iranians.

Call me a cynic, but the only thing worse than the transparency of this whole fiasco is that civilized people seem to be focussing more on the generosity of those wonderful Iranians than the fact that this whole sick episode was of their making.