1.
Chapter 8 talks much about the role fear plays in politics. In his explorations of Iran, Steves reflects on the fear of the other shared by both Iranians and Americans. It is important to note that Steves was writing in a time of particularly tense relations between Iran and America. Americans fear Iran because of its Islamic nature and hostility to our country, as seen in situations like the hostage crisis and the funding of terrorist groups. On the other side, Iranians see America as a country that hates them, whose presidents are willing to bomb and destroy their home at a moment's notice (page 197). With this in mind, Iran's leaders use this to stifle dissent and consolidate power over the country by asserting that they are the only ones stopping America, the "enemy". Despite this, Steves almost universally encounters hospitality and a welcoming spirit among Iranians, showing that a country does not always reflect its people.
2.
Iran is an interesting and beautiful country, but any prospective travelers from America must heed some advice. Firstly, America has no diplomatic relations with Iran, so in order to get a visa there, one must head to an Iranian Embassy in another country. Secondly, there are strict rules on dress in Iran, especially for women, so travelers generally must heed them. Thirdly, many people there do not speak English, so be prepared for a language barrier. Additionally, credit cards aren't accepted, so one must bring all required money in cash. If you want to get a drink in Iran, you'll be disappointed, as the strict Islamic government forbids the creation or selling of any alcohol. Overall, Iran is a great and welcoming country which can offer travelers a unique experience.
From Dylan: On #2, do you think that the difficulty of getting a visa and getting to Iran is the main reason Americans stray away from travelling there? Or do you believe it's the Americans fears of Iranians, Muslims, and the Middle Easterners like Steve's portrays it as. I personally think it's a lack of education of the place itself and its people. I believe that many people don't know the historical, magnificent historical past of the Persian Empire and its might shown in this modern world and the sights to see. I do believe that the lack of trust in the Iranian world and negative approval of how they view us (even after the Americans instituted the Shah) would lead to a lack of education from the media and schools to people about Iran's incredible past and beauty, however, I also think the difficulty of traveling there can dissuade people from researching the interesting world.
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