The lesson from the abduction and subsequent release of five Japanese civilians in Iraq is that the government should send a strong message to the Arab world that it is actively pushing humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in the war-torn country.
The series of hostage-taking incidents in Iraq, which have coincided with the first anniversary of the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, are symbolic of serious confusion within the country.
Intense fighting between U.S. forces and armed insurgents is raising doubts about whether the transition of power from the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqis will proceed as scheduled at the end of June.