Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia, Part One (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

How Iran and Saudi Arabia's rivalry has plunged the Middle East into sectarian war.
FRONTLINE traces how a 40-year rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has fueled sectarian extremism across the Middle East for political gain. Correspondent Martin Smith travels to seven countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Yemen to examine how the power struggle has rippled across the region.
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Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Additional funding is provided by The John and Helen Glessner Family Trust, the Park Foundation, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.
Major support "Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia" is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding for this program is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

[@DumRock1]

After watching this documentary I realized that born in a stable country is a blessing.

[@enrique7919]

Stable? What county is that?

[@funnytictokvideos1373]

singapore

[@Saykeh]

@@enrique7919 i get what you mean. but in comparison we can say some of the countries are stable than others

[@TWN321]

WOW!! Absolutely right! What a documentary...

[@TWN321]

This makes the Jan 6 Capitol Attack look like Disneyland.

[@franciswangechi1976]

When you live in a peaceful country you fundamentally have to appreciate that. People are suffering out there

[@theMinddoctor.]

it's mostly these peaceful countries or rather some or the other ignorant, illread and uninformed leader of a so called peaceful country who is greedy for power who has created the mess...

[@b1burck]

Mainly because of the US and UK's meddling and making alliances to gain their own interests

[@akshaykamble1044]

this documentary is a masterpiece. i wish i had videos like this about every topic i'm interested in

[@Matt-ux9mb]

Exactly

[@osam6356]

When I was a young boy in Ghana, Sunnis and Shias we're never hostile towards each other but I remember very well the first time I heard the words "shia and sinni) it's incredible how this doc has helped me put together what really happened. My dad was always listening to BBC on issues affecting the middle east. I didn't like watching news then, but now that j want to discuss and take about it, he passed. For bless all peoples to live in peace.

[@hannahbeanies8855]

❤ it sounds like he passed his thirst for knowledge on to you. I’m very sorry that you did not get to have discussions with him about it. I know for many it feels as if just as we are beginning to appreciate our parents for their traits and experiences, they are gone. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@osam6356]

@@hannahbeanies8855 Thank you!

[@yungkakashi2447]

It certainly does not get talked about enough, the heart of Islamism in the Africas and how they have a profound effect (very invisible to those that for whatever reason separate Africa, Islam, and Arabia) on the Arab world at large, and a diverse history. I'm an American born in Alabama with a rich West African history. In doing research on Yorùbá culture in Nigeria, I found out that Queen Sheba, Bilikisu Sungbo (she is the famed Bilqis in the Quran), who was a wife of King Solomon, is ethnically Yorùbá, and she has a tomb in Oke-Eri in Ijebu, Nigeria. She is not Arab and she was not Muslim (she was a "Sun Worshipper" who did accept Allah as God), so that makes her marriage to Solomon so very interesting.

[@arturosoto24]

Someone commented how civil the comment section is..... In my opinion not many ignorant individuals have the patience to watch such a great documentary. It’s a history lesson, not a politicized documentary. If there isn’t any bullshit the 1st few minutes they can’t sit through this amazing piece.

[@thenativist6330]

You’re ignorant.

[@dowhatiwantc7637]

Yeah a lot of people don’t want truth but someone telling them they are right. “It's Easier to Fool People Than It Is to Convince Them That They Have Been Fooled.” - Mark Twain.

[@nebunezz_r]

It's a shit comment section though, people just praise the documentary, instead of discussing.

[@freespiritable]

😂😂😂

[@arturosoto24]

@@nebunezz_r u know, u r right. Anything in particular you want to point out? Now, for clarification purposes, I am not Muslim, I live in the states and my opinions are not political or biased to either side of the coin. With this said, who do you think is most responsible for “Iran VS Saudi Arabia? Anyone, please join in! 🥸

[@johannaziegler4239]

"American politicians are just a bunch of rich people and are very different from 99% of Americans". Wow! right on point!

[@kashmirupdates2852]

Yes

[@arimoff]

Dont let anyone in the middle east fool ypu and blame America for all their problems. They had the same islamic problems before America, they lived in a sh.thole and will continue to...

[@insaneyoungster6223]

No there are not. Lots of Americans are brainwashed zombies and completely under the spell of lying politicians and the fake news

[@fbmemesbro3426]

Even the Americans hate their government.

[@morside7806]

I can't even put into words how I appreciate PBS for this excellent documentary. Thank you!

[@tonyantonio8956]

Reminds me of a story which was told to me by a Syrian colleague of mine. Which goes - A kurd, a shia and an arab sunni was drinking tea in a shop. Kurd: i wish to see middle east in peace, I'm just tired of all these violence and war. Islam means peace, right? Shia: what is peace? Arab sunni : what is islam?

[@sanvivishwas]

1. 03:34 The Revolution 2. 24:24 The Kingdom 3. 39:22 The Jihad 4. 50:36 The Party of God 5. 01:02:31 The Forgotten War 6. 01:20:05 The Invasion

[@jameshanson6803]

Thank you!!!

[@robjones1328]

thank you

[@26michaeluk]

Thanks bud.

[@jittspatel]

GOAT

[@Sandalphon444]

Thank you friend!

[@onalos1271]

Thanks for re-releasing this! It's an excellent way for the general public to understand the middle east geopolitics.

[@cryador]

Really? It is biased in favour of islamic repression. The Shah is portrayed as a monster and Khomeini as a great democratic leader.

[@traderjts]

@@cryador Anything from PBS or NPR is anti-Western, just crap we taxpayers fund

[@ricky5369]

I consider myself to be kind of smart and I care a lot about learning but after 2 hours of this I still can't barely understand half of anything

[@j.a.martinez4001]

@@ricky5369 - a person that states they are smart is usually the least intelligent person in the room... Jus sayin.

[@rasheedelakhlaqsiz4753]

@@ricky5369 It is simple, everything in that region is religion-based, one religion that it, Islam, because Islam to them is politics, influence, security, and most important of all, money.

[@PRIEST-01-SULTAN-JEKUTHIEL]

I am deep in love with these documentaries. This is the correct way to teach history lessons.

[@DrDonnyTheBookofYou]

FRONTLINE DOCS ARE FULL OF LIES. GO RESEARCH

[@gustavoritter7321]

Mind blowing documentary. Good job PBS for being one of the few TRULY journalistic institutions in the whole Western world. This was an eye opening and informative two hours that you gave us.

[@suleimanali1635]

I agree with you 💯 This was a truly comprehensive and impartial journalistic work.

[@kennethblachlyjr3040]

They good if you smart enough to read through their leftist spin bias to see through all that to the truth

[@kennethblachlyjr3040]

​@@suleimanali1635impartial and PBS?? Hahahahaha i call that an oxymoron

[@suleimanali1635]

I think this one is very balanced. I can't speak for the whole of their output, tho.

[@kennethblachlyjr3040]

@suleimanali1635 fair enough, especially if you have experience and knowledge of this issue. I agree this documentary was good. Frontline did a good one on North Korea a few years back. They do have a massive leftist bias though. The smart person can see through that. The weak minded though is easily influenced and manipulated. PBS is paid by the taxpayer right? They shouldn't have any bias and be neutral. Just report the story as is. That would be refreshing but non biased journalism hasn't existed in decades

[@orionclouds3741]

I am from Iran, this documentary film was like fixed mind puzzle formula for me to answer my questions. Great job, thank you.

[@eglysbroslat2885]

🙋‍♀️

[@orionclouds3741]

@@eglysbroslat2885 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@sabihmir6186]

All the bullshit started due to interest of bloody US & Britian, they helped iran fir oil & arms deal, and now they support Saudia for oil & ammunition sale. country goes against thier interests they declared him failed state or terrorist. US is a pure definition of Hypocrisy & betrayal when it comes to thier bloody interest.

[@onedaya_martian1238]

If love to you through the internet is any help, please feel it through these words my brother.

[@orionclouds3741]

@@onedaya_martian1238 Tnx bro love you back ✌💕

[@singularity___]

I'm unable to even remotely express how much I love PBS and this consistently high quality content. These documentaries are always top-tier and never fail to explore the subtleties/nuances of a topic.

[@philosophycircle7576]

Hi how are you

[@daribigvand8241]

R r r no Rent cn BBC. No rr Nrrfrersr Starbucks t B b B by by B eve hub uugubb B DC be b Union we big e Bob Bob B

[@dcamron46]

And im unable to express how nice that rack of yours is...sorry...but putting that aside - i agree

[@dadikkedude]

It's a societal nesscesity for politicians will never tell the truth. We'll be stuck with the casus beli's for these wars and not the actual very economical motives. WMD's in Iraq, communism is evil and Iran hates Americans.

[@ex1lled833]

such big words to say nothing at all..

[@weezaputz]

This is A-grade quality investigative journalism. Martin Smith is an OG. Thank you, PBS for sharing this well-crafted piece of journalism!

[@Sara-zj1ub]

Very informative. I leaned so much in these 2 hours about the various global events and how they were interconnected. Just mind blowing. Appreciate the effort.

[@mishacknthane1060]

After watching this documentary you feel like you can be interviewed as an expert on middle east politics, only to pause for a while and realize that you still need to be educated more about this important part of the globe. Exceptional piece of great journalism

[@ChairmanMeow1]

At least us that are here have an interest in learning more, and not being ignorant. Give yourself credit for that much.

[@aneesahussein1522]

Nah you can’t be expert by just viewing this. Saudis can’t be sanction or else ur dollar will worth like venezuelan peso

[@mishacknthane1060]

@@aneesahussein1522 I never said I'm an expert

[@DrDonnyTheBookofYou]

FRONTLINE DOCS ARE FULL OF LIES. GO RESEARCH IT

[@xcharlesbronsonx]

​@@aneesahussein1522bingo!

[@peterwilkinson1975]

Frontline is the best in the biz 👍

[@bdot187um]

Unfortunately the only knock is that their biased..

[@ChildOfTheLie96]

@@bdot187um Are they really that biased? Don't you get tired of playing the 'biased' card so often?

[@twonumber22]

@@bdot187um The only bias they show is American.

[@captaingrizzly9511]

i love the gulf war doc from the 90's

[@captaingrizzly9511]

@@bdot187um propaganda has been around for centuries. the colonials used it to garner support for the revolution. they are still incredibly well produced and entertaining, as well as informative. bias or no bias.

[@tracychiroro7367]

After watching Frontline documentaries I feel like an expert in western and middle east politics.I am totally hooked.Thank you soo much Frontline,the amount of detail, the dots actually connect and it finally makes sense.The level of crime's against humanity is appalling!!!

[@bridgetmutua5356]

I love each and every front line documentaries...they are so informative...YOUNGUYS DESERVE THE BIGGEST AWARD

[@rezaawesome7498]

USA: You better work with us Saudi: Yes Sir! USA: Good Boy! Iran: No thank you USA: Okaayyy... Let’s take a look at your human-rights records

[@tonyiacomi4822]

hahahaahah. Exactly. And why not? Its a good move. Work with us...that's your best choice

[@MrMaxyield]

@@tonyiacomi4822 until your services are deemed "no longer useful"... Just ask Saddam or Bin laden...

[@maire8481]

@@MrMaxyield Or Noriega. Or Thieu. Or Mobutu.

[@tonyiacomi4822]

@@MrMaxyield Exactly. So what? What's wrong with that? Its for the good of the country. If we need them then we should protect them. If not, then we should assassinate or jail them.

[@MrMaxyield]

@@tonyiacomi4822 Iran and north Korea are smart to not trust the US govt with their horrible record...

[@tenzitembo]

"An Israeli militant convoy lost its way and drove into the crowd." Ah cmon PBS, you were doing so well...

[@SahlEbrahim]

Time stamp

[@omarhaq9635]

Yeah PBS quit being pro Zionists

[@QuantCake247]

Hahaaha.. I was thinking the same way. The Israeli might came and check up on them and provide sense of dominance with their Tank. lmao. They got clapped

[@jallah2727]

56:10

[@thisfacebelievesyou8862]

They didn’t even throw an “allegedly”. That was blatant case of self-censoring.

[@mrkabu-caisha3358]

FRONTLINE , is always in the frontlines, I Love your highly and professionally prepared documentaries.

[@KoldKillaC]

One of the best documentaries I’ve ever watched! Great job!

[@khybervibes5596]

Corona ! You make me a historian 😄

[@quranrecitationsandmemoriz1474]

😆

[@tori2dles]

Hi, Khyber Vibes. Afgh or Pak side? Just curious. 💙 both countries.

[@samiii529]

Hahahaha

[@slattgotit4779]

Same here, i guess we all experiencing the same thing thank corona i guess 😉

[@abdikarimsacidmuse2423]

Same here😂

[@muzeyiyelyen6596]

This illustrates the futility of war. It is the innocent that suffers in the name of power,religion and pointless pride. It is heart-wrenching on many levels. EXCELLENT reporting though.

[@foto21]

It illustrates the futility of stupid religion more than anything else.

[@almostafa4725]

@@foto21 You just illustrated your stupidity

[@foto21]

@@almostafa4725 No, the religionists are the ones that are stupid. They use cel phones, even though that tech came from science. No god invented the cel phone, man did, men who stayed away from your fairy tales. Religion is a curse on man.

[@daniyalamed2960]

@@foto21 it's all about money and power. Religion is just an excuse. Most smart people can see through it.

[@askfaisalmuslim]

@@foto21 so let me get this straigth, man invented cellphone, yet the universe created itself, you can leave now atheist or should I say hatheist.

[@shahzad-ul-hassan25]

I cannot express my gratitude for you to bring such a quality content.

[@andreyarborough]

very good production. thank you for posting

[@shadmanshakibnafis5523]

The most hilarious part was when president Reagan said to Mujahideen,"You are not alone freedom fighters"🙃🙃

[@Reid-bu7iv]

They weren't.

[@kimberini6465]

My thoughts exactly!! They went from "freedom fighters" to "terrorists" in a few years. All a matter of perspective and who they are fighting at the time.

[@JBabi2u]

😂😂 Exactly, when they are actively suppressing women's rights with American Support... but then again it's not like American women had "full rights" for a lil more then 60 years at that point!...smh

[@Reid-bu7iv]

@@JBabi2u and that was the biggest mistake America ever did.

[@kookuclock]

@@Reid-bu7iv 😩😂🤣🤣💀

[@gayansapuge4008]

This is an excellent impartial documentary.Opinions of both sides were taken leaving the viewers to come into logical conclusions on their own.Thanks a lot PBS for this gem of a work.

[@konterrevolutionbeginnt1457]

This doc was sponsored by the Ford foundation; you must be kidding yourself if you really believe that it was impartial...

[@Lonesome__Dove]

There is nothing from PBS that is impartial. The biases may be hard to recognize but they are definitely there.

[@josephmorrison2509]

My mom transcribed these frontline shows for years. There are superb. 🙏💪

[@sirgeoh]

OMG this is the best reporting I have ever seen. Bravo PBS

[@marcusrakyat8891]

The quality of the research speak for itself. Love ❤️ from Malaysia 🇲🇾. Respect the reporter and the whole team.

[@javlonjuraev6328]

The comment section is so civil :)

[@yusufc1826]

Trolls cannot stand videos longer than 4 min

[@kevinalvarez1446]

Agree with Yusuf. Also, the majority of people watching this are here for the knowledge and are probably open to discussion and they encourage diversity of thought!

[@richierich2534]

That's a good thing

[@robjones1328]

ehhhh

[@Mr.Ut21]

@@richierich2534 ok, bernie.

[@banerjeesomdipta]

No Doubt Loads of Love to Martin Smith . A revered Correspondent to me. Multitude of doubts since birth in my mind regarding the Conflicts of Middle east .is now cleared . Docus are Just awesome and so lucidly explained . Salute to whole team.

[@latino.raptor]

incredible job! many thanks !!!!

[@get11net]

Can’t wait to watch! Thank you PBS for your consistently awesome documentaries!

[@rhanon5305]

It would have been better if will laymen was Narrator

[@get11net]

@Jor Daz How so?

[@mxkmxk7296]

This is journalism of the highest quality. It is so hard these days to see a professional journalist covering the facts as is, listening to both sides.

[@theproducersnote]

Great reporting...I appreciated this video...it explained much in my history that I needed to complete📽️📽️🎥🎥🎞️🎞️🎬🎬

[@jmj7599]

Very well done documentary. Thank you.

[@abdulrahmanyousef7686]

This is the best film I have seen so far on this issue. Thank you for this Amazing piece.

[@arturosoto24]

I enjoyed its 2 parts...well developed from the shah to now.

[@tiaan7032]

Im from South Africa & this is probably the best documentary ive ever watched. I see part 2 is available & im definitely watching it right now, but this was just amazing. I got an entire masterclass on what exactly the issue is "over there" - I get it now & its incredibly complex problem

[@lorrainechingwarara]

Me too, I feel like I understand so much better now.

[@ingamgoduka57]

Even our country was affect by US & Soviet proxies.

[@sabihmir6186]

All the bullshit started due to interest of bloody US & Britian, they helped iran fir oil & arms deal, and now they support Saudia for oil & ammunition sale. country goes against thier interests they declared him failed state or terrorist. US is a pure definition of Hypocrisy & betrayal when it comes to thier bloody interest.

[@b.ghould8077]

you're welcome.

[@steadydets]

What’s being from South Africa have to do with any of this?

[@parth1211]

Just watched 20 minutes and wanna say that this is one of the best underrated documentary about middle east with precise content beautifully explained 🎉

[@pntiwari4937]

Very good understanding of history. The part of history which we read in newspaper but never understood is now clear. Thanks

[@lancegreene871]

Luckily the U.S. doesn't have two groups that can be easily polarized in order to increase the power of the political and corporate ruling class

[@phoenix5054]

For those who cannot understand sarcasm, this is one.

[@skribe]

and even more lucky is we don't have a political figure who people support unwaveringly and look at as chosen by god phew

[@TejasM14]

Quite exactly! When you hear debates about identity politics, people fail to see that the concept of nation, creed, ideology, etc. have all been used to garner political power, not just schisms in religion. The root cause of conflict stems from the want of power. "Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains". I have to see that Islam is a lot more oppressive when it comes to freeing oneself from illusions.

[@almostafa4725]

@@TejasM14 you're hopelessly enslaved, Islam has nothing to do with this conflict

[@gregorythomas2674]

@@almostafa4725 he didn't even mention Islam. It was just great sarcasm and a problem that many if not most societies have. Ironic you're another zealot who misses the point, which is the point.

[@owaisinus]

This is an excellent documentary created by PBS. A perfect, informational and educational insight on the Middle East geopolitics and the consequences of Iraq War.

[@bdot187um]

The only bad thing about it that its baisd.

[@Stoneface_]

@@bdot187um against who?

[@bdot187um]

@@Stoneface_ Saudi Arabia.

[@chrisrambos]

Great work as usual.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting.

[@yogaflirt7]

Fascinating film. Thank you Frontline producers and reporters. Martin Smith is so brave.

[@goldenstateofmind4153]

to anyone from Iran or the whole Middle East I want to say, as an AMERICAN, we have love for all. the Gentleman speaking is right. we are not like our Politicians. We have love for all.

[@sabihmir6186]

All the bullshit started due to interest of bloody US & Britian, they helped iran fir oil & arms deal, and now they support Saudia for oil & ammunition sale. country goes against thier interests they declared him failed state or terrorist. US is a pure definition of Hypocrisy & betrayal when it comes to thier bloody interest.

[@kimtau87]

I thought you are a "representative democracy" . A" leader of the Free world" Are you admitting that Democracy has failed in America? That the American system doesn't represent the will of the people?😲

[@sisyphusvasilias3943]

Rubbish between the Elites, the Christian Fundamentalists and the American Exceptionalists, the majority of Americans directly support US intervention that bring nothing but murder and suffering to the world. The rest of Americans are guilty too, for going alone with it.

[@morgangaskin3072]

@@sisyphusvasilias3943 you’re wrong. we don’t go along with them. our government controls everything. we have no say in anything, no matter how much you hear “the land of the free”. we’re not really free. anyone who tries to stand and speak up can get killed, just like our police kill those they’ve sworn to protect. our news agencies post propaganda that tries to brain wash us, all while our government makes it to where you can’t survive unless you’re working 24/7 while our government answers for nothing. We don’t want war with other countries, nor do we want to be the police of the world. We don’t want any of it but there’s nothing we can really do. We are all controlled. We love other countries & wish things were different. We really do care about what other people are going through around the world & we have more than than others think. We are not our government or our governments decisions and I hope other countries realize that one day.

[@sisyphusvasilias3943]

@@morgangaskin3072 You're right about your conditions and how the financial/MIC Elites oppress the rest of the country. You're just not as powerless as you say. Your Government expects violence and hostile demonstrations and will meet these with their own immense violence and surviellance. But they are incredibly vulnerable to non participation revolts. REfuse to provide their essential services and they will wither and die. But there is still enough scraps available to the 99% that most people are more worried about holding onto what they have than holding a corrupt elite to account. It will need to get worse before desperation drives a revolt. But the people are responsible for their Government. It's their responsibility to remove them if they are tyrants. I can point to a dozen countries where the people are standing up to oppressive elites. Americans will have to find the courage to overthrow an entrenched elite. While overcoming the manufactured social divisions the elites have fabricated. Or they will have to learn to live on their knees. For it is clear that USA's ruling class are set on introducing a neo-fuedalism dual class society. Ruling Oligarchs living in luxurious Reservations and the rest, without property or power, dependent of handouts.

[@kevinbolembach8294]

SO informative - essential viewing to understand many aspects of the Middle East conflct

[@isaacelmi4089]

A masterpiece!! I've gained so much knowledge in about 2 hours. PBS deserves an accolade for this work. Seriously the timing of events was just embacable.

[@billymuthomi6946]

This is great journalism. Great job PBS

[@hamid5379]

Excellent work---Thanks very much

[@vladlock]

Great impartial documentary with quality interviews of both sides. PBS makes top quality educational media.❤

[@deathskunk3]

Brilliant work thank you !

[@Wartenbergh]

This great docu should be mandatory for every politician to watch. Not just the USA, USR and China (dubbed ;-) as well. Like the narrator said: Pandora's box is opened. Very well made and I genuinely think it's very objectively made.

[@ShannonLeeSD]

Excellent documentary, with excellent commentators. Middle East politics is a power play between IRAN, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, all others are minor players seemingly to be used by these players. I listened to this twice, can't get enough. Frontline thank you for this top notch reporting.

[@luciagarcia5821]

One of the best documentaries I've ever watched.

[@brianmercado1842]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you Frontline. Now I understand a little better.

[@ClassicXL86]

Frontline has been my fave for a long while now .

[@giannb5145]

Ayatollah Khamenei might be the smartest (or, at any rate, the most successful) leader in the post-Cold War period. He created a new Persian Empire: * Through his proxy Hezbollah he drove Israel out of Lebanon in 2000, and then defeated Israel again in 2006 * Hezbollah becomes state-within-a-state in Lebanon * The Americans STUPIDLY hand Iraq over to Maliki, and Iraq becomes an Iranian satellite * Syria under Bashar Assad also becomes a vassal (of sorts) to Iran * The pro-Iranian Houthis take power in Yemen and then defeat the Saudi attack * Iran defeats ISIS in Iraq and Syria (with American and Russian support, no less)

[@nolimit6241]

super interesting and unbiased. Thank you frontline

[@lucindaperez7845]

WONDERFUL WORK!!! 🎉🎉🎉CONGRATULATIONS !! Just amazing all the facts you give . It makes us understand perfectly all these conflicts. Thank you!!🥰🥰

[@mar-veldc9497]

Wow im glad i checked all my subscriptions and open this channel. now it gives me a background where it all started, not all but atleast the important events was explained. This was a great docu and thank you for sharing. Lets share this video to all. Im no longer curious where jihadist started to fight the western countries

[@the_unconventional_Indian77]

Hi

[@victornderu143]

This was very eye opening. I now understand the various perspectives more clearly.

[@ws8061]

Very complex region that Historians spend their whole life trying to understand. Drives me crazy how so many listen to their favorite ideologue and behave like experts.

[@HariMorni]

I want to say thank you to everyone who watched this video with an open mind and an intention to learn and be better informed. Islam is a very maligned and misunderstood religion and it can be very difficult to differentiate between religion, cultural traditions, and politics.

[@newtongrubby]

Educating and interesting documentary. Frontline is profound.

[@mikerunser902]

Great peice of work.. thanks for the education

[@danrabe-tukruru]

Thank U 4 that whole retrospective. Really useful today

[@itsnadaaaa]

As an Iranian, this was so well explained and done. Iran, like the USA did after WW2, is posturing itself because it wants to be a superpower. Before 1979, Iran was the most powerful state in the ME. But since then, the balance changed, and Saudi Arabia, the current leader, is against a potential change in dominance. So this has fueled the current chaos we see across the Middle East, in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Little more than Iran & Saudi competing to see who will ultimately dominate the region.

[@BeBetterRob]

You are free to say what you wish?

[@itsnadaaaa]

@@BeBetterRob As long as it's not something as far off as threatening to bring down the regime, then yes

[@BeBetterRob]

@@itsnadaaaa Welp, I'll know what happen when you stop commenting lol 🤣 Stay safe

[@Trickboy36]

It is one thing to watch this and think that I’m getting a balanced account of the history of this region but for an Iranian to call it well presented is encouraging. Thanks for offering your opinion and my prayer is for you to remain safe.

[@behshadruby4483]

Saudi Arabia the traditional leader of the Middle East?? Since when ?? Lol

[@1TUFZ71]

Incredible. Pretty profound that on the other side of the globe the man at 13:57 has a more realistic view on politics than a solid percentage of our own country.

[@Nannaquaket]

So informative！ A great documentary of history, religion and geopolitics. Thank you, PBS.

[@felixculpa4192]

What a freaking mess... the whole region needs a reset

[@user-ip6sn1nb5y]

you may then have to go to the 7th century and make one single man vanish

[@mzdtmp2]

@@user-ip6sn1nb5y Lol, it's not Muhammad that was the problem, but external sources encourage and funding hate on both sides, of the Fraternal Order persuasion. Who created Saudi Arabia? England. Who propped up a dictator that fueled the want for revolution in Iran? The US. Who was a CIA agent since the late 50's? Saddam Hussein. US and UK backed Iraq during the Iran Iraq war, and gave him precursor chemicals and the how-to for chemical weapons. The US even shot down a civilian airliner, claiming it was an accident, but it helped to break Iran's resolve (they didn't want to risk their citizens, and the also didn't use chemical weapons against Iraq after they were gassed). The US and UK didn't step in until the oil ships started getting destroyed, out of fear Saudi Arabia (they're oil baby) might get hit next. The USSR helped the US/UK defend the oil ships, the same Soviet leader (Gorbachev) that was given a decommissioned US military base, the Presidio, to start his "Pro-Democracy Foundation", back in '94. Side note, "Democracy is indispensable to Socialism" Lenin, and "Socialism leads to Communism" Marx. Gulf War was a UN war, the US just lead the coalition. Were did most of the supposed 9/11 hijackers and their mastermind come from? Saudi Arabia. Same place Osama Sr came from, the one making a business deal with one of Bush's companies on the day of 9/11.Bush Jr. and Sr. are both Skull and Bones members, and Bush Sr. was Reagans CIA director, imagine that. If not Islam, then another regional religious identity becomes the vs for the other two faiths to fight against, jeered and funded by those that don't hold to any of the beliefs. The Fraternities of Europe and America learned their craft through contact with established Middle Eastern Fraternities, such as the Roshanians or the Hashashins (were we get "hash" and "assassins" from, due to the heavy use of hash in the rituals, and the deadly nature of their ways, killing swiftly and unexpectedly, often posing as stranded or wayward travelers). Before they existed, there were Fraternities or Societies in Babylon (Iraq), and before them, Egypt, who claim they learned their ways from the Atlanteans of Atlantis. Divide and conquer has and will go on till humans cease to be a reality.

[@user-oo6vr1ky5f]

@@user-ip6sn1nb5y Well he won’t. He’s a prophet of god. God will punish you.

[@WhenBoredomStrikesChannel]

It is possible, by stopping foreign interference.

[@mbuckholz]

Or a new religion

[@zacharycat603]

"It's a pity they both can't lose." Henry Kissinger

[@jonnyenough1531]

Bingo

[@Suckerx911]

sit and watch, and let them fight to their death.

[@yoyodawgsupbrah]

That war criminal needs to go to hell already

[@paulheydarian1281]

@@yoyodawgsupbrah Henry Kissinger has made a pact with the Devil. He's going to outlive many of us through sheer stubborness.

[@YogeshBagga]

Excellent research work

[@agill2103]

This is the best documentary i have ever seen. Truly amazing.

[@derekholland3328]

great documentary..thank you Frontline.

[@tonderaigwarega3129]

Really insightful

[@davidmdomingo]

Very interesting. Thank you ! 🎉

[@andyveneta]

Amazing documentary. All the REAL, AUTHENTIC informational things we should be aware of.

[@Navneetvaio]

PBS DOCUMENTARIES < ARE DOWNRIGHT AMAZING , THANKS FROM INDIA

[@maximusdecimusmeridius5500]

Yea funded by government you will find some nuggets of Truth in there though. Most of it is propaganda oh, that means lies deception and falsehoods. If you find that amazing you are well indoctrinated.

[@jaigracejjoy]

@@maximusdecimusmeridius5500 how does the tinfoil hat feel? comfy?

[@BruteStrength99]

@@maximusdecimusmeridius5500 I'd be shocked if you even watched the whole documentary. Probably just came here to troll

[@annache250]

I wish the US would actually support pathways to democracy instead of backing authoritarian leaders without thinking of the consequences.

[@MrTaxiRob]

America is also full of religious lunatics, who are anti-socialist, so it makes sense that we'd support mujahideen over commies. Until they mess with our oil, then we back the Leninist Ba'athists. Until THEY mess with our oil, then we back the monarchist Wahhabists again.

[@francobola9920]

@anna , do think america are good guys, oil interest ,or should I say whatever the corporations need. please do not think any government is honest, if you dont start that way , it seems you end up that, dishonest and cruel. not speaking of exception.

[@gjf984]

Right! We need to make overtures to the moderate elements in the Arab world, and work to marginalize extremists.

[@skronked]

38 years of religious regression! Keep the lunatics in their churches, mosques & synagogues.

[@andriadipura6393]

Well, Iraq procedurally is democratic now, if it's the case. Well, to be fair, Bush didn't talk about development, economic stability, etc.

[@Clintsessentials]

The portion about our politicians being different than the majority of our people...spot on! Sad that the world sees what we don't!

[@davidjackson2690]

Seriously educating. It is infuriating to me how so few people can screw so much up.

[@NaswaReloaded]

The camera work is on another level.

[@nikolaosmark5812]

Back then when the word "documentary" meant something and not like now how a guy who searches for an other guy separated for 30 years. Also, most importantly, real journalism. Not armchair "expert" fighters.

[@kugirea]

@@nikolaosmark5812 Was this not made in 2019-20?

[@thenativist6330]

Thank you, I try.

[@Odis-edgarDavidsonBene]

What's wrong with letting them have their beliefs doesn't mean it has to be ours no no hide or Sharia law on the land shaped by creation the right hand of the creator live Free or die

[@rommelsantos6511]

@@nikolaosmark5812 lll

[@NaswaReloaded]

Great content

[@callmemr.thomasreagan1157]

👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@profrajeshmaurya5078]

Excellent video, surely worth watching

[@W.shaikh]

Great documentary....got lots of answer.

[@Aethelwulfecbert]

In this documentry the blame for all the conflicts in the Middle east is being put on the Saudi's and the Iranian's but in reality the American's have a major say in almost every political dilemma in the middle east. Iran is a big rival of the United states since the revolution of 1979,so in order to keep Iran from being a major Global and middle eastern power the US has been fueling up rivalry between the Saudi's and the Iranian's. Saudi's being the ally of the west have always indirectly helped the US to prevent Iran from spreading its influence across the region.

[@palashmumbai83]

It is President Dwight D. Eisenhower who started this back in 1953, when CIA and MI6 did the coup to remove Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. That was the starting point of the conflict, CIA later called it a blowback. It was British Petroleum after losing control on Iranian oil when Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalized the oil company. In order to avenge Iranian PM UK first requested to President Harry Truman, and he rejected it. But President Dwight Eisenhower's intellectual mayopia lead to all the catastrophic future events.

[@outer967]

The dictators of the ME who suppress their people and keep them in constant war and horror are puppets/allies of US/Israel.

[@anzar_imam_9]

@Yahweh Hates You America's foreign policy is very cruel and brutal, we love Americans but not those in powers.

[@Mors_Atra_]

Iran is a beautiful country.

[@notvisibleconfusion]

The algorithm blessed me with this video, it's an interesting topic

[@nohisocitutampoc2789]

I would like to see an update. Excellent job.

[@laguillotinedupeuple8292]

Let's not forget that it was the US who encouraged Saddam to attack Iran to make a government change, and at the same time sold weapons to Iran to fight back Iraq. Ronald Reagan's Irangate.

[@captaingrizzly9511]

PBS YOU NEED TO RELEASE EVERYTHING YOUVE EVER MADE AS AUDIO PODCAST SO I CAN LISTEN AT WORK

[@supastar25]

Exactly!

[@ddacoe0]

I second that!!

[@yesteryear]

Captain Grizzly lmao😂😂

[@johann242]

I have the frontline app on my phone

[@adilo7467]

@@johann242 what’s the app called ? Already searched PBS and frontline but to no avail

[@danielmahmoudi6731]

Outstanding work.

[@Whyoakdbi]

This documentary is absolutely amazing!!

[@ffuentes900]

simply incredible! glued to the screen at all times

[@elijahaywago7274]

i missed my devotion last night because of this

[@leroyhouben6063]

You guys for very very interesting documentaries! Keep up the good work guys! Thanks!

[@BattleBuddiesPodcast]

Absolutely incredible journalism.

[@tag180rotax]

As an American born in 91, this shed more light on what was actually going on than anything I've seen before. The US seems to not be able to mind their own damn business ever since WW2. I now better understand the hatred that the people impacted by these actions can hold against my country. Sorry for your loss

[@AnthonyJ504]

If only it was that simple. Not saying the US hasn't made mistakes, it has. Major ones. However in the modern connected world the world's biggest super power can't just sit back and not get involved with anything. That same mentality lead directly to WW2. Isolationism isn't an option.

[@christianmartens3578]

@@AnthonyJ504 It is actually simple.....they should intervene if there is a genocide or an unjust war going on. And they should honour the contracts they signed (in ukraine they should have intervened because they signed a contract to protect its territorial integrity). They should not intervene in a civil war (Vietnam) and lie about it. And they should not aim to reach regime change because they don't like the current regime (iraq, kongo etc. etc .)

[@AnthonyJ504]

@@christianmartens3578 except that in itself isn't simple. So you think there should have been US troops sent to actively fight in Ukraine despite the fact that it could lead to a much bigger war or nuclear war? As far as regime changes, the US doesn't intervene simply because they don't "like" it. When they do it's usually because that regime is a threat to US interest or a financier of or supporter of terrorism. Are they always right? No, no one is. Those same regimes are usually ones that brutalize and oppress their own people. Case in point Iran. A regime that oppresses their own population and is a major supporter or terrorism, ie Hezbollah. They also almost always never act alone but as part of a coalition. As for the Vietnam war? I agree with you on that. We should have never gotten involved there.

[@bananabana6630]

@@christianmartens3578 It is NOT simple. The only thing that actually is simple is you.

[@demetriusmiddleton1246]

​@@christianmartens3578 that's not the same as minding their own business. And your list of rules I guarantee is not the same as anyone else's who even may be on your side. By definition that means it actually ISN'T simple - and if you can't comprehend this it's most likely because YOU are simple