Investments Other Investments - Related Party (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Receivable	$ 76,653		$ 76,653		$ 76,653		$ 77,620
Steel Excel Inc.
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Receivable	3,000		3,000		3,000
ModusLink
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Number of warrants received (in shares)								2,000,000
Warrants price (in dollars per share)								$ 5.00
Related Party
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Total assets	943		943		943		21,966
Total liabilities	(943)		(943)		(943)		0
Net Asset Value	0		0		0		21,966
Net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations			(53)	$ 3,246	826	$ 3,254
Partnership | Steel Excel Inc.
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Cost method investments	25,000		25,000		25,000
Cost method investments fair value	33,400		33,400		33,400		$ 28,600
Venture Capital Funds | Steel Excel Inc.
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	500		$ 500		$ 500
Warrant | ModusLink
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity [Abstract]
Award vesting period (in years)					5 years
Expected volatility rate (as a percent)					52.40%
Expected term (in years)					2 years 8 months 12 days
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)					1.63%
Expected dividend payments					$ 0
SPII Liquidating Trust - Series H (SPJSF)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions		$ 2,730
SPII Liquidating Trust - Series G (SPCA)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	$ 6,913