NOW on PBS Season 4 Episode 3 Our Pakistan Problem & The Right Approach to Iran?

Our Pakistan Problem & The Right Approach to Iran? is the third episode of the fourth season of NOW on PBS. In this episode, the focus is on two significant issues affecting the region of South Asia and the Middle East. The first issue that is explored is the fraught relationship between the United States and Pakistan. The second issue is the U.S.'s complicated relationship with Iran and the best approach to take with this country.

The episode begins with a look at the history of U.S.-Pakistan relations, which have been characterized by a series of ups and downs. Pakistan has long been seen as a crucial ally of the United States in the fight against terrorism, but there has been growing concern that the Pakistani government has not been doing enough to root out extremist groups within its borders. The most notorious of these groups is the Taliban, which has launched a series of deadly attacks on both American and Pakistani targets in recent years.

The episode features an interview with Shuja Nawaz, a Pakistani-American journalist and author who has written extensively about his native country. Nawaz argues that the U.S. needs to approach Pakistan with a more realistic and nuanced understanding of its complex internal politics. He also argues that Pakistan needs to be held accountable for its failures in the fight against terrorism, but that the U.S. should also acknowledge the severe security challenges facing the country.

The second half of the episode turns to Iran, a country that has long been a thorn in the side of the United States. The U.S. has had a complicated relationship with Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and tensions between the two countries have only increased in recent years. The U.S. has accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism, developing nuclear weapons, and supporting a variety of regional proxies that are hostile to America's interests.

The episode features a discussion with Trita Parsi, an expert on U.S.-Iran relations and the founder of the National Iranian American Council. Parsi argues that the U.S. needs to take a more constructive approach to Iran, one that recognizes the country's long history and culture, as well as its legitimate security concerns. He suggests that the U.S. should pursue a policy of diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation, and that efforts should be made to build trust and confidence between the two countries.

Overall, Our Pakistan Problem & The Right Approach to Iran? is a thoughtful and insightful episode that does an excellent job of exploring two of the most important foreign policy challenges facing the United States today. The show presents a range of perspectives on both issues and encourages viewers to think critically about the U.S.'s role in the world and how it can best advance its interests while respecting the interests of other nations.