THE IRAN CONNECTION

As they struggled to explain the unnerving drop-off in Shi'ite support for the occupation, some U.S. officials suggested a familiar foe might be helping to stoke the uprising. "We know the Iranians have been meddling," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters last week. "And it's unhelpful to have neighboring countries meddling in the affairs of Iraq."

Can't say for sure...but the Iranians certainly have proven they love the kidnap tactic...and all of a sudden there are all kinds of kidnappings.