"First they exerted pressure on Jaysh al-Islam and the large Dagmoush family by arresting or shooting anyone even remotely involved in the kidnapping. Then hundreds of its police encircled the family-dominated neighborhood in central Gaza City. All of Gaza was convinced that negotiations had failed and the time had come to settle both the kidnapping and a more complicated feud between Hamas and the family with violence. But even as black-masked members of Hamas' elite Izzidine Qassam Brigades could be seen entering the area for a final showdown?one that could easily have killed Johnston?Hamas paused long enough to talk it out." (Slate)

This is an important written piece by a Slate correspondent about the situation in Gaza in light of the Alan Johnston release (it is confirmed there was no ransom exchanged) and the dynamics in the Palestinian politics.

And here's another proof that you need to have cultural understanding, even if you are a terrorist group.

"...Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, a predominantly Iraqi organization with a small but significant foreign component, severely overplayed its hand, spawning resentment by many residents and other insurgent groups.

Imposing a severe version of Islamic law, the group installed its own clerics, established an Islamic court and banned the sale of cigarettes, which even this week were nowhere to be found in the humble shops in western Baquba to the consternation of patrolling Iraqi troops." (NY Times)

Arab society can put up with a lot of bullshit, but never ever take the cigarettes away from them. That's asking for real trouble.