Terry Gross

We look at the state of human rights in the region--particularly in Iraq before the start of the Gulf War--as well as elsewhere around the world. Kenneth Roth, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch, shares his insights.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews the new comedy, written by and starring Steve Martin. He says that, unlike Woody Allen's Annie Hall, this movie both celebrates and revels in the town's absurdities.

We talk about United States' newest Middle East ally's involvement in the international drug trade with Philadelphia Inquirer reporter David Zucchino. Zucchino covers the drug war for the paper, and has spent two years in the Middle East. He also won a Pulitzer for his coverage of South Africa.

Fresh Air producer Amy Salit interviews Joe Stork, the editor-chief of "Middle East Report." He'll discuss the unequal distribution of wealth in the Middle East. Kuwait's has a strong economy tied to their oil production; their reluctance to share it with other, poorer, Arab countries has been cited as one of the motives behind Iraq's invasion.

Pat Ford speaks with photographic historian Fred Ritchin about the computer manipulation of photographic images. His new book, "In Our Image," discusses the implications of a technology that makes the photograph as susceptible to fraud as the printed word. Ritchin is the founding director of the photojournalism at the International Center of Photography, and the director of photography for the "New York Times Magazine."

Thomas died last night. We have a recent interview with him; Terry asks him about his career and his distinctive nose, which, despite constant pressure, he refused to have surgery on.

Psychiatric-social worker Raymond M. Scurfield is the Director of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program at the American Lake V.A. Center in Washington State. He served in Vietnam, treating psychiatric casualties. He talks about the typical problems found in combat, the dilemma of sending G.I.'s back into battle, and he speculates on the difficulties G.I.s will face in the Gulf.

Mehdi is the Secretary General of the National Council on Islamic Affairs and President of the American-Arab relations committee. Born in Bagdad, he moved to the U.S. in the late 1940s. He talks with Terry about his frustration with the U.S.'s destructive actions in his home country, and about the strong link between the Islamic faith and the law.

Sheen, born Ramon Estevez, directed the new movie, "Cadence." He also acts in it with two of his sons, Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez. He talks with Terry about his life, family, and what it was like work on "Apocalypse Now."

Two interviews in this segment: First, Terry talks with Roger Fisher, the head of the Harvard Negotiation Project. He explains why it's still not too late to negotiate with Saddam Hussain. Then Terry speaks with journalist and long-time China watcher, Orville Schell; they'll discuss the current trials of some of the leaders of the student-led, pro-democracy movement.