A few things

I wanted to devote separate posts to a few of these issues, but here is what I've got:

• The most pressing matter involves the detention of British sailors by the government of Iran. The Iranians claim that the Brits encroached on Iranian territory, something the UK firmly denies. A new development makes it all very problematic.

A website run by associates of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, reported last night that the Britons would be put before a court and indicted.
Referring to them as “insurgents”, the site concluded: “If it is proven that they deliberately entered Iranian territory, they will be charged with espionage. If that is proven, they can expect a very serious penalty since according to Iranian law, espionage is one of the most serious offences.”

Not good, but I wouldn't shy from a chance to stick it to Iran.

• Peggy Noonan has written two very good columns in a row. I have been dissatisfied with her work of late. I think she tends to be a bit negative about the current situations in Iraq and domestically among conservatives. In these last two columns she has put her historical perspective to good use. The first is on the problem with loyalty as a motivator for political support. The second addresses the state of conservatism. Both are worth reading.