The hostage exchange in Iran: a brief history
Iran and Sweden exchanged prisoners on Saturday. The exchange looked like any two countries engaged in diplomatic negotiations to free their citizens. The families were elated; governments were relieved.But the exchange was only the latest chapter in Iran's long history of what is known in world affairs as hostage diplomacy.For more than four decades, starting with the 1979 revolution that established a conservative theocracy, the country has made the detention of foreigners and dual citizens a central element of its foreign policy. For Iran, the approach has paid off. This was a worrying trend for the world.Iran's demands have evolved along with its tactics. In exchange for the release of the foreigners he asked for prisoners, assassins, cash and frozen funds. He designed c...