UK's Soft Diplomacy with Iran Succeeds

Interesting article in the Christian Science Monitor called Lesson's Learned: Iran's release of British Prisoners regarding Britain's success securing the release of its prisoners from Iran. Here's a snippet:

"This is vindication for the British diplomats, who came under a lot of criticism," says Ali Ansari, an Iran expert at London's Chatham house think tank. "Diplomacy worked. People should reflect on this: There are diplomatic options when we deal with Iran. It's a very salutary lesson."

And here's a great quote on the counter strategy by Israel:

"What is to be gained from following the Israeli example of last summer [when it invaded Lebanon after its soldier was captured]?" asks Rosemary Hollis, a Middle East expert also at Chatham House, "You can't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. They still haven't got their service personnel back, and they smashed up half of Lebanon."