“America held hostage!” That grim nightly message from ABC’s Ted Koppel transfixed the nation during the Iran hostage crisis nearly five decades ago. You can almost hear a similar chorus now during the Iran crisis - with an impatient edge that’s making the United States’ predicament even worse.

Let’s examine how the Iran war became what is essentially a hostage crisis: President Donald Trump joined Israel on Feb. 28 in an assault on Iran that demonstrated masterful military tactics but poor strategic planning. Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drones - and, most important, by closing the vital Strait of Hormuz. That last action took not just America but the entire global economy captive.

“America held hostage!” That grim nightly message from ABC’s Ted Koppel transfixed the nation during the Iran hostage crisis nearly five decades ago. You can almost hear a similar chorus now during the Iran crisis – with an impatient edge that’s making the United States’ predicament even worse.

Let’s examine how the Iran war became what is essentially a hostage crisis: President Donald Trump joined Israel on Feb. 28 in an assault on Iran that demonstrated masterful military tactics but poor strategic planning. Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drones – and, most important, by closing the vital Strait of Hormuz. That last action took not just America but the entire global economy captive.

When a hostage-taking occurs, there are two basic options: Rescuers can try to free the captives through force, or they can attempt to negotiate a........

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