Iran Parties Like its 1979

Victor Davis Hanson has deja' vu:

Jimmy Carter established the Western precedent, amplified by Ronald Reagan in the arms-for-hostages deals, that there is almost nothing a Western government won’t do to retrieve its kidnapped citizens. Now we see his ripples, as Iran promises to release the female soldier. If there are any minorities among the 15, expect them to follow as in 1979.

I hate to admit it, but he's right about Reagan. But in his defense, Ronnie did see the need to eliminate the more pressing threat, which then was Soviet expansionism. Sadly, Carter was hard-pressed to combat even that enemy. And Reagan did leave us a precedent, in his economic war against the communists, that may be bearing fruit with Iran as well.