The Today Show had a segment this morning that brought forward family members of the three hikers who wandered into Iran and still remain in custody.

The hikers have been imprisoned for months now.  Their understandably distraught families brought a predictable element of pathos to this interview that seems to supercharge ratings.  But this story has been around awhile.  Why now?  

Today hooked it to Thursday’s talks between Iran and world powers in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear program. Meredith Vieira did the linking for Tehran, asking “if increase tensions will hurt chances” that the hikers will be released.

In other words, let’s put pressure on our own government to soft peddle the gravest issue of war and peace since the Cuban missile crisis, one involving the very safety of the tens of millions of people who watch Today, by linking it to the fate of the three hikers.

Thank you, Today.  You’ve given the Information Ministry reason to be proud.