Sign of War...

Last week, 15 British mariners were taken hostage in Iran. The Iranian government claims that they entered closed Iranian waters and that they therefore had the right to arrest them. The British claim that they were in neighboring Iraqi waters when the Iranian officials scouted and approached them. In times of growing tensions with the Middle East, one can only wonder when the kidnappings and abuses will stop. Will they continue to escalate into war, or will they be the source of fear for years to come? Which sources can we trust, the Iranian government that says they are safe and healthy, despite the fact that they have a history of violence toward westerners? Should the British be trusted—those who for centuries exploited ethnic differences in order to maintain control? When national identities blend during international cultural conflicts, who is right and who is wrong? Those who are desperate to maintain economic prosperity, or those who struggle to maintain political independence despite international efforts to stifle the growth of their own nation?