The paradox that is Persia: Abbas Milani at TEDxStanford

Abbas Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford and a co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution. Until 1986, he taught at Tehran University's Faculty of Law and Political Science. In his 12 years at Stanford, he has taught courses on modern Iranian politics, culture and religion, and has published more than 20 books and 200 articles and book reviews on these topics. His latest book is The Shah (Palgrave, 2011). He is a regular on major news and opinion programs around the world and a contributing editor to The New Republic.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@martinayari3529]

I lived in Iran for 4 years and I am in love with the country and in love with the people

[@behrouzfarahani9637]

Thanks dearest, Iran love you more ❤❤❤

[@user-kf2im7wi5w]

Thank you

[@AminiJalal]

2500 years ago was the beginning of the Achaemenid Empire, not the begining of Iran history. Actually, Iran's history goes back to about 7000 BC.

[@nagihangot6133]

Try 10000

[@user-bj9or7ke3u]

@anti Abraham older

[@faraharjomand4080]

Thanks

[@earthman6700]

Since I had a brief meeting with an Iranian woman in London and the UK held the Oil Tanker in Gibraltar I found that Iran is indeed an interesting Country. And I find I like the people. Respect to the Persian people. (from an Englishman).

[@SaraRamezaniHOST]

❤🌷

[@earthman6700]

@@SaraRamezaniHOST Merci. 😊

[@hosseinsadeghi2468]

from tehran with love

[@danzamini4513]

Hello Earth Man @ First, I am Earth man too, second, I’m a Persian. In Iran we have a round 10 different people which 5 of them are older than 5 other and today we all together calls IRANIAN. Just saying.

[@behrouzfarahani9637]

Thanks dearest, Your judgment about The Iranian people is absolutely true. We The Iranian people are very good and very kind people and we want peace and friendship with the world. I really appreceiate you as an Iranian.

[@hspringmp8084]

His voice is incredible. I want him to read all history to me. Great talk! Facts.

[@shawnshawmlou5136]

Thank you for showing a very different and in fact interesting and true side of Iran.

[@brushenas]

Admirable and amazing presentation in such a short time to cover 4 important phases or Iranian history.

[@jblvandegiessen3605]

PERSIA HISTORY.

[@randomnateddude]

jbl van de Giessen Persia is a Greek word, they've always called themselves Iranian

[@mezroth]

Jbi please note that persians called themselves parsian and they still do. It is not a greek word as commonly thought. Pars is a southern region where persopolis the capital was based. The people of pars are called parsian or as the greeks pronounced persian.

[@koorosghodsi6498]

Mr. Milani, A true scholar, deserving much respect, and a lot of attention!

[@johniseppi643]

Seems we in the west have a lot of misconceptions about Persians/Iranians. They are usually very lovely and enlightened people. Can’t say the same for their government, and the same holds true for most countries. Great talk, thanks for the info...

[@mogbaba]

As an Iranian, I do not call the current regime a government. If Germany has a government, we cannot call the ruling regime also a government. Many of us call it the regime but I even do not consider that right. The Franco system in Spain was a regime, the current system is a coalition of Iran's culturally lowest layers of thieves and looters. They even do not care about the religion they claim to be the followers of. That we should experience this, is exactly what the point of the speech is, the paradox of Persia.

[@hamedpourhassan1370]

Don't believe him, he is just a nationalist who wants to read history in favor of nationalists, did you know persians are in minority in iran !!! How he can call Iran as Persia. It is the word constructed by western and Iranian nationalists. Fictions are edible of course

[@mogbaba]

@@lemortedbrian6070 You don't even know the difference between Iran and Islamic regime. You don't know the history. I was in that so called referendum, do you know that Iraqis vote for Saddam was 100 percent? I think the atrocities committed by the Shah regime and the Savak are roots to today's catastrophes. I am an Iranian, you are not. you don't know what an Iranian is. I have fought and defended my land for 5 years. I hope you free yourself from what mullahs have put on your mind, if you are not on their payroll.

[@nisrrah8198]

@@mogbaba , youre a zionist twit, if not, youre not even 1% of the opposition, THe people voted and chose an islamic theocracy in iran, get over it

[@user-rx4gc9mr3d]

@@lemortedbrian6070 exactly. hit all the points.

[@rsteven]

Awesome presentation! Many of the points shared were eye opening.

[@marybazargan757]

Very Simple , very easy to understand and so beautiful speech about Persia, Iran Thanks so much for Mr. Abbas Milani

[@hediyehb9082]

I really liked that he stuck to the actual proven facts, kept away from any controversial name droppings and only stayed with historical tracable mile stones... very difficult, very well spoken.

[@rivas97]

فقط همان دروغهای یهودیان را در مورد ایران تکرار کرد. تاریخ تمدن ایران بیش از دوازده هزار سال است و به دوران پس از یخبندان باز می‌گردد. هفت هزار سال هنر پارسی اش مکتوب و مستند شده است. کتابهایش نیز هستند.

[@mehdiahmadi4592]

Very good

[@CHRIST24-7]

@@rivas97 درود دوست عزیز لطفا نام ببرید کتابهایی که دوازده هزار سال از تمدن ایران صحبت میکنند ممنون میشم خواندن ان کتابها خیلی جالب خواهد بود.

[@mashtali1]

@@rivas97 تا 5 هزار سال عاقلانه است. ولی 12 هزار سال پيش عصر هجر بوده و ايران کشور نبوده

[@PouyaKhadem]

I wish this was an hour long talk. So fascinating!

[@sohrabakhavan]

What a magnificent speech, Dr Milani made me proud of my heritage.

[@jeffshooshtari7216]

Very nice speech. Thank you for spreading the cultural understanding to US and the world.

[@babijan7436]

Ghorban, are you from Shushtar?

[@mikekashani2698]

Great speech..Very informative. Great scholar. Thank you Professor Milani.

[@networkwarriors4499]

Wow! What a great speech! Thanks TEDx

[@Nozarks1]

Beautiful talk. Very informative. I'm so glad Iran kept it's the most beautiful poetic language.

[@aryanpers4173]

Thanks to Mr Milani for giving us your knowledge about Iran! God bless you!

[@zagros24]

Iran will rise and regain its glory once again. We have survived the worst; Alexander, Romans, Arabs, Mongols, Russo-British...and we still alive, living in the same region for thousand of years, speaking the same language and Persian culture.

[@PolishBehemoth]

But... you will only truly rise to the best if you can as a people get rid of Islam. Thats what spain did in the 1500s and they became the most powerful empire on earth. Iran (Persia) was the greatest empire on earth before Islam came in. Peace and love, my friend, i gave you a thumbs up.

[@mahdidadgari668]

@@PolishBehemoth No nation will rise until they get rid of nationalism!

[@Khaled91]

@@PolishBehemoth That is impossible! What you need to understand is that they had plenty of opportunity to do so. The Arabs conquered Persia by force, but it took several generations for the majority of the Persians to convert to Islam. The Persians then ruled the Muslim world under the Abbasid caliphate. The Abbasid caliphate was Arab by name, but Persian by political and religious elite. The Persians themselves spread Islam to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and other places. So they could have shunned and destroyed everything that Islam came with while they were the rulers. But they didn't! The "Islamic golden age" of knowledge that people talk about was because of the Persians, not the Arabs. The biggest loss to mainstream/sunni Islam was losing the Persians to the Shia doctrine. I have to admit the Persians are a mighty people with a higher form of civilization. The Persians were sunni Muslims for 900 out of the 1440 years of Islamic history until the Safavids converted them to the Shia faith by Fire and Sword. Although todays Iran is called the "Islamic Republic of Iran", it operates like the Persian empires of old by flexing their muscles in the region and showing everybody who is boss. Today Iran is taking on America, Israel, the European Union and the Arab gulf countries. Its not kneeling or bending to anybody and this comes from the Persian heritage and culture that they inherited from their ancestors. Regardless of your opinions on modern day Iran, you can't help but admire how they built their own military capability and capacity. They have built their own rockets and missiles. Their own Nuclear program. Saudi Arabia on the other hand spends billions of dollars buying weapons from the west.

[@Khaled91]

@@user-vj3pu7rv6j Fake bot account from Israel or Russia

[@molezaymolbacheh4157]

@@Khaled91 Khaled what you like its foreign policy but inside of iran they are killing innocent people in the name of Allah, they are enriching themselves in the name of Allah, their kids are sent to canada, USA, Europe with the money of iranian people in the name of Allah, young generation mostly don t believe in Allah, more and more are converted to other fates, Iranian ll free their country and built again but not with so called Islamic, all these info you don t see on CNN, Fox news or on aljazeera , I live in iran and i also saw the regime of shah. Arabs are always looking for an Hero but this Hero falls one day like sadam, .....etc

[@ssartre5240]

I can't believe he had only 17 minute to talk about the biggest, greater and most influential empire of all time.

[@ariagavvv]

Not at all subjective with your characterization

[@Rishi123456789]

"I can't believe he had only 17 minute to talk about the biggest, greater and most influential empire of all time." The Roman Empire was undoubtedly the biggest, greatest and most influential empire of all time. But the Persian Empire was still very influential.

[@dariusbaluchi4890]

@@Rishi123456789 The Persian Empire was the greatest and most influential. The most important things in the world come from Persia like the wheel, human rights, alcohol etc..

[@soundofmehr]

Thank you Dr. Milani. The whole world need to know who we are and you did it. Bravo.

[@user-kf2im7wi5w]

Mr Melani you are one the best man in Iran history .

[@as2870]

Dr. Milani,I respect you for a few things,the first is for the informed proud you feel for this history and culture. I wish you the best.

[@Mor4Ing]

Brilliant. Very informative. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. Thank you Mr., Milani

[@hamiedarvand5436]

Well done Mr. Milani. In such a short time, you made an excellent introduction to Iran and Persian culture.

[@factfullnessthelikes4566]

Beautiful and very intellectual presentation! Thank you 👍

[@omidameri]

Remarkable speech, Thank you prof. Milani

[@masoodk9954]

Mr. Milani in the 17 minutes up with your speech that was excellent and very educational thank you so much I appreciate you

[@roozbehgh25]

I am really impressed by this fascinating talk. I think partially because I am now living in a foreign country and have been seen those strange and puzzled faces after telling proudly that I am from Iran!

[@noeshiable]

Amazing. Thank you Mr Milani. 🙏 Very strong speech!!

[@mehrzadegol]

I have to share these precious few minutes! All the best to the brilliant speaker. See the very pertinence by the presence of quite a few (at least 39!) paid to repress free expressions on already banned WEB to Iranian population! Keep it up Doc! THX***

[@behzad.k]

I proud you Mr.milani as a Persian. Thanks very much for your significant speech.

[@myartinjon]

Putting 3000 yrs of history in a nutshell, well-done sir!

[@va3xto]

My most influential professor during my masters degree here in Canada was a Persian... very articulate TEDx talk.

[@artofcelebration]

zendeh baad Mr Milani. thank you for such a precise and to the point explanation of Iranian situation in such a short time. we are so proud to have scholars like you and such a brilliant diaspora. The new generation is blooming

[@jenloveslife8890]

Thank you for this talk! so informative! helped me a lot!

[@shahinjafari3948]

Dearest Mr Abbas Milani Many thanks for your remarkable talk base on history and just explanation in such short time Many thanks Shahin Jafari

[@RahulDcruzJohnson]

This was a breath of fresh air

[@Osstovar]

That’s such a remarkable presentation, God bless you Prof. 🙏🏼🆒🤘🏼

[@mostafaabedi9386]

Done just beautifully Thank you..

[@mahan2661]

As a persian, i'm so proud of this speech🇮🇷🇮🇷❤️

[@corndoc144]

Beautiful presentation and summary of the essence of the history of Persia

[@9131415485]

Brilliant speech! I suggest "The Shah", Milani's recent book for further reading about Persia.

[@ninaaryaie8586]

It was a short and very accurate. He is very wise and knowledgeable.

[@scepticartivist7922]

This is how to demonstrate other images or stories about Iran. Political history matters!!👍🏼 It is impossible to show a multi-faceted image of a country, or to avoid single-story about a nation, without embeding those images or stories in political-historical context. I enjoy proffesor Abbas Milani's talks.🙏🏼😊👍🏼

[@zongora123]

Thank you for this enlightening, surprising presentation of an extraordinary history: the bewitching heritage of Persia. I like a lot the paradox aspects explained in smartly contextualised history.

[@MikePouraryan]

A fabulous talk.....A thank you is all I can extend to this eminent and ever so eloquent scholar....and I hope it is enough.

[@changiz110]

Thank you .

[@fatemehaharimohadjer2097]

changiz changiz .

[@viannesavoli8138]

Amazing talk doctor!

[@zoramehr2393]

oLD Land, mysterious LAND, RICH HISTORY ,...BUT TIRED LAND,.!

[@TheInfinityTravel]

I love you talk and the Persian’s culture. 🙏

[@hamidford7415]

Wow! Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@naderaraki]

Dr. Milani Thank you for this wonderful lecture

[@antoinecompagnoni5715]

Now that Mr. Milani calls Iran as a half colony of China and Russia I have one question from him. Was Iran an absolutely independent state during the Shah or it was a "half colony" of the USA and UK?

[@mehraeenmavaddat-mottahedi2431]

Great talk👏👏👍👍thank you Dr. Milani 🌹🌷👏👏bravo 🌺🌹❤️💐👏🙏🏾🌷

[@gmailservice9945]

i have never seen such a nice presentation about iran

[@malmalhi007]

I have always held Iranians in high esteem.. from Naval cadets to ordinary Iranians.. Next life I will return as an Iranian.. Look out for me in 40 years time!!!

[@IamIran-gn5ir]

I was impressed by his speech but your comment made me laugh . We will wait for you lol but trust me you don't need Persian blood . All you need is to learn Persian language and go deep and deep in literature. I'm sure you will find a different person inside you . I don't know how to explain it but Persian literature specially poems are really a 100 percent different experience . No translation can express them

[@m.hajibandeh6876]

Excellent talk Dr. Milani, you are a humble, sincere and genuine man.

[@sammyh1982]

Great speech...although I wish he also mentioned the Cyrus Cylinder, the first charter of human rights in the world over 2500 years ago, a copy of which is on display at the U.N.

[@Bullcutter]

And the original in the British Museum!

[@SaraSara-nz2xw]

لذت بردم از این سخنرانی واقعا سپاسگزارم به عنوان یک ایرانی از شما شما در کمتر از ۲۰ دقیقه تلاش کردی ایران رو بشناسونید به مخاطب خارجی و چقدر نکته سنج بودید و چه زیبا از این موقعیت استفاده کردید باعث افتخارید

[@atabehnamian1548]

You are amazing . We are proud of you , 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 sincerely Dr.Milani

[@flaglesspirate5250]

Very well spoken. Great references of historical points and current issues.

[@siddharthaarora3381]

Very beautiful talk.. thank you for sharing..

[@Sourena291]

Throughout various periods, Iran has faced different attacks, yet Iranians have consistently risen, stood on their feet, and constructed improved versions of themselves. The Mullahs, despite their own reluctance, played a significant role in Iran by demonstrating the potential horrors of governing a country solely through religious rules. This painful but profoundly valuable experience has been been a huge achievement for all Iranians.

[@SM-vc5zr]

Awesome presentation! It was magnificent, remarkable and so accurate. Thank you very much Dr.Milani, we are proud of you.

[@tekahukokayelash8884]

Loved his presentation, beautiful speaker.

[@ampiciline]

I am an Iranian - American who migrated to US back in 1992 .... I did learn 5 new English words form his presentation : 1) Dour ( <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="22">0:22</a>) 2) Cuckolded ( 3: 37) 3)Canonical (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="328">5:28</a>) 4) hoodlums ( <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="517">8:37</a>) 5) Despotism ( <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="743">12:23</a>) ........I truly love English language and after living so many years in US , I am still very thirsty to improve my English skills ....thank you Dr Milliani ( OSTAD )

[@dariushgorgin9629]

Dr. Abbas Milani is my hero. 💖

[@ashleymelodi1]

Lovely and very interesting. Thank you.

[@luisaaraujo8395]

The video was very useful for me cause I know a couple from persia and one day he told to a person who was righ by my side I am not from india im from persia. And I styed there quiet thinkng whith my self what a shame I us to fhink he was from india to don t know were persia is dont know nothing abaut persia and then after seeing this video I had the oportunity of learn more. The video was great.

[@jf6122]

it may be interesting for you to know that in Persian literature there is a branch it is called Indian-Persian literature and that's created because poets migrated to India because Muslims kings were killing them and they told them you should compose lyrics for the Imams. So they migrated to India to find a safe place to live. There is a lot of possibility that your forefather was a poert.

[@ahmadkhokar1]

Viper vs datsun

[@samanchitsazian9698]

Awesome speech, simple & elegant.

[@amiramir-bh5dk]

Thanks a lot Mr. Milani for your clarification which will stop stereotyping.

[@joelmalone7922]

I really like and appreciate Mr. Milani. For those of us who hope for a better future there, and I'm an American of Irish, German, and Italian descent, Abbas is a breath of fresh air in these uncertain times.

[@danijelakelava6602]

This is an important video about the knowledge of Iran.

[@Stayhungryshow]

It is my dream to visit Iran.. growing up in Mumbai I had friends and classmates who were Parsis (Zoroastrians from Persia who migrated to India and became a very small but powerful community). We know of fire temples, Ahura Mazda and Navroz is a public holiday in this city. I also admire that Iran was able to retain its language and ancient culture even as it embraced Islam, and created a new form of practicing the religion. We in India have a lot of affection for Iran and its people - you are completely misunderstood by the West. I greatly admire the women who are leading the struggle and hope you become a free society, very very soon.

[@mahyahasheminamin3706]

This was one of the most comprehensive descriptions I've ever heard of Iran, very accurate, based on facts and deep investigation of its historical and cultural journey, My deepest appriceations

[@smarsh6340]

I’m so proud to share identity and language with you 🥹 Dr. Milani is magnificent period!!

[@Charlesmagne800]

Thank you Milani for your comprehensive talk on Iran

[@marziehhad5398]

Thank you mr Milani. We really enjoyed it. My son at college shared this with me.

[@vidaafsharian5005]

Amazing speech and fascinating information. God save such great and learned,openminded Iranian scolars.

[@jeffsamiei]

Well said, and very thoughtful.Abas Milani is a true trailblazer among Iranian scholars.

[@lovesallweneed]

Well done. Bravo. Salamati, dorood bar shoma.

[@mokhtarkayedpour5960]

Dr.Milani, I love you , I proud of you as an Iranian patriot

[@missellli]

fantastic talk:) Thank you Abbas Milani

[@naveedfarbakhsh8453]

Being Persian is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me, and also the most frustrating. Long live Iranians!

[@youtubeexpert2441]

people who think like you are pathetic.

[@roshnigokhale6741]

Thanks for an amazing talk.

[@havasalimi4612]

Thank you Mr. Milani.

[@faezehalavi1392]

Thank u Mr.milani....Thank you..........

[@azadehshahbaz3464]

Thank you!

[@Lindagee918]

Awsome. Thank you.

[@edvardj]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@Ishkaboobool]

SEPAS Mr. Milani From Shahrezad to Now a Day Women in Iran.. we have proved that no wild horses can put these strong women on their knees.

[@Travellifestyle733]

Thank you!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@MrVache20]

Nobody could say it better, thanks.

[@samsen201]

Tell us more.

[@Nick-zp7hk]

Dorooooooood faravan be shoma aghaye Milani aziz man be onvaan yek irani sare taazim be shama daram ...👍👍👍

[@hegie1980]

OMG keep rocking mannnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[@shakiaserk4135]

Perfect thank you

[@nasirmir5170]

An amazing lecture about Iran!

[@jblvandegiessen3605]

EYE OPENER..!!

[@omidjohnmasoomy1267]

As an archaeologist who not live in Iran I enjoyed a lot of your speech I’ve already read some of your books, and I’m studying on Silk Road, and my second research which I’m working on this subject; Western jealousy on Iran; facts and rumors , and I need your help . Thank you