WHY WAS SHE RELEASED? - AT 2:22 P.M. ET:  The great Michael Ledeen, who probably has a clearer view of Iran than any Western scholar, also dismisses the nonsense that Iran released the American journalist it was holding because "pro-negotiations with the U.S." elements won out.  (See our 7:31 a.m. post.)  He writes on NRO's The Corner:

Why does the Mafia release hostages? Because they have collected the ransom. So to all those who are looking for subtle reasons for the Saberi release, take it from someone who has been there. Iran collected its ransom. The mullahs aren't subtle, they're mafiosi. We probably won't know for a while what they got, who delivered it, and who worked the deal. But anyone familiar with the workings of the Islamic Republic has to assume that there was a payoff.

I don't know of a single case in which the mullahs released a hostage for any other reason.

COMMENT:  Fascinating.  We'll be looking for hints.

May 12, 2009