In the spring of 2008, I feared America was on the verge of war with Iran — and, believing that it’s good style to get to know people before you bomb them, I made “Rick Steves’ Iran,” a one-hour special that could (and would) only debut on PBS. Sadly, this special has become pertinent again today.
The news that Trump is flirting with the idea of bombing Iran breaks my heart. Why? Because, along with the humanity of the Israeli people — which I shared in my 2014 Holy Land special — I recognize the humanity of the Iranian people, who have lived under a brutal theocratic dictatorship since 1979.
◻️ Iran 2009 was a joy to watch. Love to watch the 2014 Holy Land Special. Is it public domain? If so have you got a quick link for it?
That theocratic dictatorship is also why there shouldn't be a war at all. It'll hurt innocent people who have no love for their own government while those theocratic jack asses bunker up. The people of Iran deserve love, understanding, and most importantly, life. Things you can't give in a war.
Iranians I have known over the years have no desire to return to a repressive authoritarian rule under the monarchy, which helped empower the 1979 dictatorship. And they definitely dont want the current regime. Hopefully Iranians can choose their own future, instead of western aggressors.
I remember the moment it dawned on me, in the nasty wake of 9/11 — watching American bombs light up the sky over Baghdad on the evening news — that I could do my country a service by producing a one-hour TV special on Iran, which I feared Bush might target next.
Rather than getting mired in politics, this documentary simply humanizes the Iranians by telling their story — the story of a society America knows almost nothing about, even though it’s constantly in our news... the story of a proud nation with a rich and complex heritage.
Yaman was born to the sound of bombs instead of lullabies. A child who has known nothing but cold and hunger—he needs only milk and diapers. Let us be the warmth of this world for him, before cruelty takes him as it has taken so many before. www.gofundme.com/f/support-al...
You visit to Palestine now makes heartbreaking viewing
When my wife traveled in Iran about 15 years ago, people went out of their way to help her and look after her. I've always found Iranians to be some of the nicest people in the world.
If you want to be a savvier consumer of the news as Israel and Iran duke it out in 2025 and as the USA considers joining in, please educate yourself by watching this special: www.ricksteves.com/watch-iran. Shalom and Salam.
Thank you. I’ll be watching this today.
I remember watching this and really enjoyed it. Thank you. Iran is beautiful and the people are the best. My family are there but I've never been able to visit. What is being done to them right now is an absolute abomination.
Absolutely wonderful! Thank you for sharing your travels through Iran. Hopefully we will not participate in its destruction.
God bless you, Rick Steves
STEVES IS THE MAN
"Government has a lot of war with each other, because they have benefits. But there is no war between people. They are friends with each other, they should be friends. Politics and religion are mixed - that's main problem here. " It's becoming quite the problem here, isn't it?
My 90 year old mother and I recently watched this episode. We stream your travel shows every Sunday afternoon. It is a wonderful celebration of the people of Iran. And thank you so much for being a part of my time with my mother - you get bonus points with her for being ELCA.
Thank you, Jane. All my best to you and her!
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts." Mark Twain
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if only all the world understood the value of people who know how to make tadiq
I understand.
And fesenjoon 🤤
Thank you
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Thank you for your inclusiveness in bringing to PBS and all of us a sense of the state of modern Iran. It is a blessing to be able to come together as global neighbors, our common threads of humanity are more important than the divisiveness that political strife wields. Shalom and Salam.
Mr. Steves, I watched this special episode several years ago. While I take you at your word regarding your motives, I feel compelled to ask: did you produce this video in the presence of Iranian government chaperones or attachés?
I tell people about the "Death to (traffic)" segment. It was a great special.
you got it @ricksteves.bsky.social 👊🏼
Should be a mandatory read in every high school in America.
Thank you for reposting this. I know you got some flack when this first came out. I’m so glad you did this. It’s the only way for us to move forward as humans
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Maybe someone could get Ted Cruz to watch it, since he demonstrated in the Tucker Carlson interview that he knows absolutely nothing about Iran.
Love you Rick Steves
Thank you. Day after day I see front page stories about how distressing it is for Israelis to be living with bombing raids. So far I’ve seen nothing about the distress of Iranians being bombarded by Israel.
The buildings that were from 500 BC ~ how clean and beautiful Tehran was...and the food and spices...thank you...
12 years ago when war was imminent, this Israeli graphic artist started the Israel ❤️ Iran campaign. He sent a message to the Iranian people via Facebook: Iranians, We ❤️ You. To his surprise, Iranians began sending messages of ❤️ back. The people don't want war.
People don't want war anywhere. Leaders, zealots & cruel people do. Thanks for the reminder!
Reposting to remind me to watch. <3
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Watched yesterday. If more people traveled, or at least watched your show, the world would be a much more peaceful place.
Thanks you Rick. I am sharing this with my friends and family and public via Facebook to encourage everyone to watch and make the Iranian people real to them. Hopefully 🙏
Your my hero Rick and have been for like 20 years. Thank you for everything you do
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I have met wonderful Iranians. Israel is the terrorist here. Netanyoohoo must go.
Thank you Rick 🙏🏼
Americans forget that we laid the groundwork for the Islamic Revolution by overthrowing a democratically-elected leader to protect the assets of American & British big oil companies. Then we supported a repressive monarch as his replacement. Iranians need to change their regime themselves.
Love you, Rick. 💙
I watched this and then visited in 2019. Amazing country and the kindest people I have ever met (out of 105 countries visited). A baker in Isfahan told me “Ayatollah bad. Iranians good. Trump bad, Americans good.” Yeah buddy, you get it! Too bad many Americans don’t.
Having lived in Iran for two years, I can say you are right about the kindness.
It was absolutely unreal. People, young and old, stopped me everywhere to talk. Teenage girls were especially interested in how I felt about having to cover up. It was a stunning country and I hope to return someday.
Once I felt sick on the street. I sat on the curb, my feet in the gutter. A man came over to help me. He called me khahar, sister, so I wouldn't misunderstand.
How kind and I am not at all surprised. The hospitality is unprecedented!
Thank you for sharing! Will send to all family members.
I will look for this. I’m a big believer in trying to learn as much as I can! I think that I’m not woke exactly. I consider myself always waking up. I do know there will be no winners at the end of this story and that is really sad.
I loved this episode of your show! You and Anthony Bourdain have done more to open the eyes of so many Americans to our shared humanity with our global neighbors. ❤️
I watched it last week, it was incredible.
Love that episode!
The Mad King Of Amurika just declared war on Iran... he may not know it , his administration may not know it... but Iran knows the law.. asking for surrender is an act between 2 belligerents: bsky.app/profile/ogre...
I have been watching your travel guides since I was a kid and still use them to this day when I travel. Your open minded and compassionate approach has been largely influential and I share in your heartbreak at this recent news. Thank you for sharing the global humanity always
Rick is the best of us
You are the best. You are an ambassador and kind man. This is truly your calling in life.
I watched it back then, and I still reflect on it to this day. It forms my belief that (at least) 98% of the world just wants to live in peace.
The problem is the 2 % are actually in power.
Thank you, Rick….your work is appreciated
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Pre 1979, doesn’t seem that long ago that the women of Iran looked and dressed much like the women in most countries around the world, before they and their daughters generations were turned back in time www.google.com/imgres?q=wom...
I believe current Iran is exactly the society the Christian nationalists want to build. Watching Rick’s show, I can’t help but think the Christians will not be as kind and gentle and forgiving, tho.
Those photos were propaganda and the clothing forced upon the population. This is from an Iranian in 1979: www.thecrimson.com/article/1979...
Thee were photos from the 1950’s and 1960’s of women in bathing suits and work or school and travel clothes similar to the 1970’s too though, all prior to 1979
And who took these photos of Iranians dressed like Americans and published them and why? There was no Facebook back then, you couldn't just upload photos to the internet. Was it to lie to the American public that what America was doing was good - ie propaganda.?
They were dressed like half of the countries of the world then. Europe, Asia, North America & South America dressed like that in the 1970’s. There’s photos from magazines, newspapers, books, tv, & from Iranians who moved away or still who have posted family photos over the years on social media.
Now show us the poor people
Recent photos and areas of Iran in the last few years , and the poor, poverty ridden and starving
I remember watching this show and many of your other shows, Rick. Back then PBS still made some sense. These days, sadly, they deserve the defunding calls. They are still saying that the Ukranian war was unprovoked despite the true history of events, which most of us know well by now.
Don't worry, these will only be precision strikes with little or no harm to civilians. When has Bibi ever indiscriminately bombed a country with no regard for human life?
◻️ I liberally use the smirky cat emoji 😼 for ironic and satirical posts. It sets up the post as if it was a voice that has been described in a script. Must be at the beginning mind you! So far as of today nearly 500 Iranian civilians have been killed. Less than 50 Israelis.
Rick Steves is a National Treasure
It was very good. I remember being impressed that you were motivated to do this.
I love your iran episode. It made me want to go someday.
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I just recently watched Facism in Europe. I've got to watch this now, too. Thank you for sharing your unique experiences in such an educational and informative manner.
Iran and its neighbors as the boogie man, is the warmonger's way of fearmongering. Pathologically sociopathic.
I have now finished. Marvelous!! 🙏 peace be upon us
Greatly appreciated! I’m half through and the first thing that struck was their easy separation of gov’t from the people of the US. Wiser than we it seems. Now I’m contemplating how currently the 3 Abrahamic religions are going to war- what must our shared god think??
I was your "neighbor" (Mukilteo) for 25 years, and attended many of your travel lectures at the old Edmonds theater. Thanks for all you've done to educate 'us' on the real benefits of travel.
Excellent show-I learned so much. Thank you for all that you do!
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When I taught Marjane Satrapi’s PERSEPOLIS, I had the kids watch “Rick Steve’s’ Iran.” It opened doors to a great discussion & better understanding of a land Americans know little about. I wish everyone would watch it! (And read PERSEPOLIS. 🙂)
◻️ My impression - maybe wrong - is that American's are not predominantly interested in other countries. Sure Americans do Europe and so on, but ask the average Joe about other countries, such as Turkey, Iran, Iraq, India, the Far East, China, there is little to say. Probably not taught much.
💯 Dismal lack of curiosity across the board. But when encouraged to study other cultures, kids jumped on board. I hope the lessons stuck.
◻️ 😼 Kids are kids. They are naturally very curious wherever they live. And open-minded. I am always impressed partic. by the 8-11 age group! It slowly winds down into the teens.
Learning about others is the first step to creating peace.
I always remember this quote from Anthony Bourdain at the end of his Iran episode. “Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”
Please do not let it be destroyed .
I have watched that show.
Love you, Rick! Thanks for helping to expand my worldview when I was a kid watching PBS and for speaking out now
That was a magnificent episode! Thanks 🙏🏼
You're a good man, Mr. Steves
Ironically, I was just thinking about this video. I liked so much, I have a low quality copy on my computer.
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Rick, you are a bright star in the dark. I’ve followed you on many adventures and believe I’ve watched this episode. But I’ll watch it again. I know your heart is greatly troubled by the downfall of our proud nation, as is mine. Take care and be well. Your friend, Publius
I watched this & agree that one must understand before acting. Great show/insight.
I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Iran and it's people.
Blessed with Incredibly stupid Fool at the helm of the USA!!!
Thank you. I needed this tonight.
I found this episode to be very brave and had a message of kindness and understanding. Thank you for making it.
It’s terrifying!
Great episode ✊
Israel took out the peoples capabilities to access gas to get out - as they say to save themselves - This is truly shocking - Netanyahu and Trump should be stung up, all the innocent people killed in these brutal wars is completely irresponsible - they are killing with impunity - Complete thugs -
That special ment a lot to me. It humanized a people I had only seen demonized.
Rick, it is so appreciated that you choose to speak out on issues that are important to the world and our country. Your experience is so valuable. Thank you! *also, your advice to pack in only a carry-on and backpack has really made my travels easier*
Fully agree!!
i'll watch it tonight! thank you for making it and thanks for all you do. you are a genuinely good person
I have been thinking of this program today. Thank you for creating it.
A truly amazing special on Iran. This should be required viewing by everybody in the United States- particularly everyone at the in the US Congress.
You’re a national treasure for this!
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It’s one of my favorite episodes
I loved this episode and think of it whenever bombing is being discussed. Thanks for keeping people first.
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I watched that special. Of course I watch everything that you do. I have traveled the world with you from the comfort of my living room.
Rick's approach as a host has a David Attenborough quality to me. When I see nature, I want to hear Attenborough's voice. When I see travel & tourism, I want to hear Steves' voice.
Yes!
Couldn’t agree more. Rick Steves reminds me that traveling is the best investment I can make. I bring my daughter along when I travel because I want her to see beyond the US. When I was up late nights with her as an infant, I watched Rick Steves Europe episodes until she fell back to sleep.
He’s Fred Roger’s “Outside the Neighborhood”
...and wasn't the hope that, in the end, we could *ALL* be each other's neighbors?
I am very glad I saw this post. Thank you! I have been watching your travel episodes a lot lately, as they take my mind off our current affairs. Yesterday we were in Rome. Tonight? Who knows. Thank you!
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Governments don’t do the dying in war, people do the dying. Americans are deeply desensitized to that fact.
◻️ A view. I would argue Americans know very well the price of war to the individuals who fought their wars. From the Philippines right through to Iraq & Afghanistan. They have the monuments to the dead. Vietnam was the last war. 56,000 Americans died. A very high proportion African Americans.
◻️ Better expressed as 'the last war so many Americans died was Vietnam. 56,000.' The point of the high proportion of African Americans stands.
I respect your view. Unfortunately for us, the person making decisions on war is the persona of “Fortunate Son”.
I'm going to watch after dinner. Your work is wonderful.
Ask yourself how we got here, to this point, with the UK & US overthrowing the Iranian Democracy in 1953 (Operation Ajax),and who will benefit, and no guesses its all about controlling Iran's oil! www.britannica.com/event/1953-c...
This was an amazing show. I had never seen the humanity of the Iranian people shown like this. Thank you!
You have always been and continue to be a gem of a human. Thanks for being the embodiment of graciousness and empathy in a sometimes devastating world.
One of the positives of Bluesky is finding out you’re just as cool and kind irl as you seem on TV.
Thank you Rick. I was in the last graduating class of Tehran American High School in 1978, right before the revolution. The Iranian people have been through so much💔
Thank you for re-sharing...17 yrs manifestation...Wow!
Thank you Rick
How do you feel about bombing the infrastructure of the regime that would happily publicly hang to death any one of those women from a construction crane if they dared to uncover their hair and dance outside?
I loved this special. I lived in Tehran for six years as a child. Thank you, Rick.
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We love you, Rick Steves. We watch all your shows. I think I wasn’t aware of what was going on in the Occupied Territories-West Bank before you visited. It broke my heart to see that show. I also loved your shows on Türkiye and Iran
try 1980 it's when I signed up
I loved this special
Thank you! I watched this when it came out and it changed my entire perspective. Thank you. Really excellent work.
Among the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met. Thanks for sharing, Rick.
Oh wow, I remember watching this in middle school! It was a really formative look at the country.
◻️ Interesting. Was that in the U.S.?
Thanks Rick. Well said. I wish we could all just get along..
It’s not an overstatement to say that this special and others like it were life changing for me. Thank you.
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Thank you, Rick.
thank you for this, and your special on european fascism, as well, and all your shows and activism too. ♥️
I loved it!
This is such a great special. Thank you for sharing their stories and helping us recognize our common humanity
A third U.S. Navy destroyer entered the eastern Mediterranean Sea to help defend Israel. (From the war they just started!)
Your program and Jason Jones’s Daily Show pieces are the most wonderful examples of how gracious and warm the Iranian people are. Thank you for all you do. vimeo.com/7067162
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Thank you Rick Steves. You do such important work
Thank you, Rick! ❤️
Fuccccccck Israel though. A theocratic American colony.
Thank you for sharing the world with us who cannot travel. ❤️
"And the flip side of fear is understanding." <3 Thank you. It is well done.
We 🩷 the Persians
Rick, my maternal grandfather left his small Christian village in Persia appx 1895 and came here. Landed in Philadelphia. Ultimately attended Wooster College. WWI: didn’t serve bcs he got TB. Lost half a lung. My grandma was a nurse. It’s where they met.
Love Rick Steve’s, made it through childhood watching him. Thank you Rick Steve’s 🕊️
One of your best and so important at this moment.
Yes! bsky.app/profile/theg...
Thank you, Rick! I had a cousin from Ireland who road his bike around the world in 1981. He made his way to us at some point and I remember him telling us that Iran was wonderful. It was unbelievable for us as Americans to hear that. His travels made me understand that I had biases.
rick steves—kind of like Mr Rogers in that, if you are on the other side of what he’s about, you need to meditate on it
"Yes...Rick Steves, He's Definitely One of Our Favorite Humans. He's So Very Value Oriented. As A Very Dedicated International Traveler, I'm Very Grateful, to For His Really Interesting Videos." BTW...It was reported, that you have cancer. How have you been?
Thanks for sharing! Humanity connects us all, yet we keep on divided not only across nations, but also within nations, in small communities, for various “reasons”. There is definitely need to build understanding, for a more peaceful and vibrant future. Violence and hatred is poisonous.
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You're a good man, Rick! We need more diplomacy and humanization through travel.
Thank you, good sir.
I've always loved learning about far-off people and places, but I honestly never learned more about a people than when I first saw your Iran special. I was moved to see such a beautiful people, and how they suffer at the hands of a few horrible men. It profoundly strengthened my love for humanity.
Iran deserves to be a free country. Free of extremism
USA too
Watch! I highly recommend. It doesn’t strike me nearly as extreme as the Christian nationalists of the US - a theocratic government is exactly what they are trying for.
Iran/Persia would be I think on par with Israel [ducks] as a democracy in the “Muslim world” we could live with. Their history is of a people much more enlightened than that say of certain nouveau riche oil countries. Bombing them to freedom won’t work. Ask how I know. Rick, you da man. 🫡
Iran, also known as Persia. I cannot say in this small space how much art, mathematics and story has come from this wonderful place.
I fucking love you Rick Steves
I felt so bad having to ask my neighbor if his family in Iran is OK. Most of them are longtime citizens of the US like him, but some relatives live in Iran.
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I loved and appreciated this show.
Thank you.
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Thankful to have you, Mr Steves.
It’s a great watch! 👍
Who the F does America and trump think they are to “demand” things from other leaders and nations. Fuck trump fuck America and fuck Israeli. The devil worshiping cunts
Rick, thank you and best wishes to you. Honeymoon in Purdah, by Alison Wearing, was an eye opening read about Iranian hospitality.
Travel devastates ignorance Thank you
“The antidote to fear is understanding.” What an excellent glimpse into this fascinating country and its beautiful people!
◻️ 😼 Dang! You got there before I did on the take-away quite. No reason, of course, why it shouldn't be repeated. I plan to a post with a link anyway and the truism will be at the top. How on earth would we get this to 47 and if we did would he manage to concentrate for an hour?
We watched it tonight. Fascinating!
Such beautiful architecture and friendly people.
Beautiful culture isn't it? It's all happiness unless you're a woman all covered in black against your will, or if you're hanging on a rope because you said or did something the "great leader" didn't like, right?
Alvaro That’s what happens when a theocracy takes over a country. It’s happening here unless we can stop it. It happens fast.
I just watched it, I enjoyed it very much
Well Rick, you succeeded in humanizing them 40 years after the attack on the American embassy in Tehran. I still think to your special as I see the attempts in right-wing media to dehumanize Iranians. But I have been very lucky and have had many wonderful Iranian expat friends myself. No War!
Spoken as a true human being. Shockingly rare right now. Thank you, Rick.
Commenting to be able to find this easier. Looking forward to watching!
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I remember watching this when it aired. The thing that angers me most about war-time politics is the ease with which people will do one or both of the following: 1) Ignore the humanity of those on the other end of the bombs 2) Flat out de-humanize those same people It's utterly shocking to me.
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Thanks for posting this.
Thank you so much for posting this. If you haven't already done so, please ask PBS to broadcast it again soon! 😀 Also really liked your specials on the beginning and rise of Hitler.
Better hurry …
Now THAT is how you bothsides an issue the right way. Thank you.
I really appreciated that special- watched it several times. Mahalo, Rick 🤙
Love you, man
When Chef Jose Andres/WCK and Zelenskyy get the Nobel Peace Prize, they need to give it to Rick and his team as well.
And the Republican Party became the permanent minority party in America, and we all lived happily ever after.
thank you for posting this - gonna watch now
Rick, my husband and I have been watching your shows for more than 20 years. They were how we spent our date nights after we had our first child. We’ve both been so grateful to find that you’re politically active and continue speaking out for people around the world. Thank you. 🙏🏽
You're a very good man
I remember watching that one, and learning a lot from it!
That was excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Give peace a chance.
I remember this program. It was eye-opening. I've wanted to go there since I saw this.
You’re a good one.
Thank you for this, much needed. Trump dehumanizes anyone he perceives as his enemy.
Thank you for everything, Rick. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: “Rick Steves for President!”
Watched this not too long ago. I truly appreciate how you center the people (in thi & other programs). I abhor how our totally incurious “leader” has no concept of humanity, no belief in the commonalities nor the individual dreams & experiences. Thank you for posting this. I highly recommend.
I feel I should also mention your episode "The Story of Fascism in Europe" necessary viewing imo
I've watched that episode several times over the years (along with every other one you've ever made) I sighed each time because it is a dream destination that will never be realized. It was obvious that many wished to be free of an oppressive theocracy. Especially the youth. But not this way
◻️ 😼 Everything would be different now if Mohamed Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, had served two terms as president... ... a man who could do impromptu till the cows came home.
Thank you Rick!!!!
You once denigrated Tijuana, Mr Steves. I hope you have since regretted that.
why are they all monks?
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You are a good man, Rick.
I wished I could have gone there before war destroys everything.
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You’re a real one.
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As the Bush administration was beginning to contemplate an attack on Iran, retired Lieut. General Greg Newbold wrote an elegant essay on why the attack on Iraq was a mistake. Why Iraq Was a Mistake (2006) LIEUT. GENERAL GREG NEWBOLD (RET.) time.com/archive/6676...
We watched this last night and today I met a friend in the Village that knows you from Edmonds and told me you have been a leader in her community, too. I am SO GRATEFUL for the kind of man you are ~ the kind of LEADER you are.
Bless you Rick Steves.I've always enjoyed your travel programmes. Yes, it only we could get to know people better and respect our differences, the world would be a better place.
you are one of the few remaining hopes I have for the future, mr. steves.
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Most countries are not their leaders. They are just humans trying to live their lives. So many never seem to realize that.
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i remember seeing this as a kid and it really broadened my horizons. i very much grew up in an environment that dehumanized iranians. it changed my life to see media that treated them like people, and their home like a place they had a right to be proud of. thanks for making this.
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It’s a shame when good people in any country get caught up in the crossfire of war when they’re done nothing to deserve it.
I love this photo
Watched last night. Thank you for humanizing the conflict
It seems is far too easy these days to destroy people and places, rather than build bridges of compassion, understanding, and learning.
I still think if this episode.
Thank you, Rick.
Thank you, Rick. I love your writing. This anecdote made me so sad, though. I've met some Iranian-Americans and they are just the loveliest people...
