Crisis Shows Isolated Iran

Iran’s abduction of the British sailors and its subsequent belligerence may actually be evidence that international sanctions against the rogue nation are working. Fareed Zakaria argues in Newsweek that Iran’s posturing reflects its growing isolation, after both Russia and China backed U.N. condemnation of its nuclear program. "Tehran appears to be trying to demonstrate that it can push back.”

Zakaria also sees a possible a power struggle within Iran, with hardliners provoking the incident to try to derail a move to the negotiating table.  “Whatever the internal politics, Iran appears to have miscalculated. Its actions will only confirm to many key countries that it is a reckless and untrustworthy state.” (More Iran stories.)