"They have a mind set that is totally alien to most negotiators.What's "alien" about taking hostages? "

Even if the allied forces did take hostages I very much doubt they would parade them in front of cameras and threaten to burn them.

The kidnapping groups are using the media to spread their terror. The terrorist groups use bombimg methods never thought of until a few years ago, and again all on prime time media.

Yes hostage taking has always been a part of a conflict in the Middle East but out and out threats to kill by burning are another nasty new twist indicating the mindset of the extremists being deealt with.