Three Americans reported held in Iran

Three Americans on a hiking trip have been arrested in northwestern Iran after accidentally crossing the border near Ahmed Awa, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

I sympathize with those who care for them.  I deeply hope no one I ever love is in Iranian custody.

However, let’s look at the sustained dumbassery that brought this about.  For this to happen, this group of people had to:

• select one of the most war-torn countries in the world—a place full of anti-American elements, none of whom wear helpful signs identifying them as such—as a vacation destination; and
• ignore the repeated protests of the manager of the hotel where they stayed, of local police in Ahmed Awa, and maybe even (if the state-run media report is to be believed) Iranian guards, who all warned them to stay away.

I hope this ends well for the sakes of their respective families and friends.  But if/when it does, I hope commentary on their return includes a big dose of “wow, were these guys ever stupid!”

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