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November 3, 2014

Parts Unknown: Iran

On a few occasions, Anthony Bourdain has come up on this blog. My general stance on his shows, specifically No Reservations and Parts Unknown, is that he has done an excellent job introducing his viewers to different countries, ethnicities, cultures, and of course, cuisines. As he's gotten older and become more seasoned as a show host, the episodes covering unstable and/or tense areas include an increasing amount of politics.

Generally speaking, Bourdain is centrist-liberal, and basically works within the margins of the New York Times: liberal on domestic issues, more nationalist on foreign matters. His "Jerusalem" episode (see Sep. 16, 2013, blog post) on Parts Unknown was passable and made some good observations, but basically adopted the standard symmetrical approach. He's quick to repeat the boilerplate one hears in the media commentary, foregrounding groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, while paying less attention to the context out of which those organizations emerged. However, his acceptance speech for the Voice of Courage and Conscience Media Award (see May 21, 2014, blog post) was a much improved statement on the subject of Palestine.

Granted, Bourdain's shows are focused on food and travel, and naturally that should be kept in mind. Nevertheless, if he's choosing to go to places like Libya, Beirut, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, and now Iran, then the show isn't just about shawarma and kebabs.

Last night's "Iran" episode offered a humanized look at the country and its people. The show opened with Bourdain admitting he didn't know what to expect, stating his awareness of the skewed media treatment Iran has received since 1979. The rest of the episode is an attempt to get to know the Iranian people, and it does it well.

A few political and historical realities are touched on, and there's a respectable level of accuracy and honesty: for example, the 1953 coup conducted by the CIA, which monkey-wrenched Iran's nascent self-determination, and US support for Saddam Hussein's savagery in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

It's a reflex in foreign-affairs coverage to go easy on one's allies. In the episode, the subject of US-Saudi relations is broached, an apt example. Critical reportage of Riyadh is hard to find even in the liberal mainstream press. On the contrary, one can write whatever one wants about Iran. But, as mentioned in the show, and despite the strict conservatism with which Iran is ruled, it still boasts liberties that are unheard of in Saudi Arabia (another Bourdain episode worth watching). The reason for the discrepancy is not hard to infer: American intellectual culture follows Washington's lead, and Iran has been a sworn enemy for 35 years, end of discussion.

Americans do not understand the Middle East. They do not understand US allies in the region, and they understand official enemies even less. Yet, most Americans favor increased diplomacy and improved relations with Iran. With better comprehension on the part of the population, Washington will have a harder time maintaining its current policies, and the news media will have greater difficulty selling the idea of Iran as a regional monster. (It bears frequent repetition that over the last hundred years, Iran has invaded zero countries.)

Last night, Bourdain and company provided a nice glimpse into Iranian life. His observations and assessments were very similar to what I relay to people after traveling in the Middle East: that the people and their hospitality and warmth are quite remarkable.

Yes, Iran's leadership can be ruthless. Not long after filming, two interviewees were arrested (without charge), Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian and his wife. Rezaian remains in detention. However, the conversation about Iran should start with the people and, for Americans, US contributions to the country's difficulties. On both topics, there is much to explore.

When we have no other information than what we are told, it's hard to think anything else. Yet, as our knowledge deepens, the coverage will change. While the news organizations tremendously impact our thinking, it is crucial to keep in mind that the population can influence them as well.




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