The Middle East is facing a crisis of perception. Decades of conflict after protracted conflict has led much of the western world to view the entire region as a war zone, an incubator of terrorism, a bastion of autocracy--as a threat to be neutralized. It is easy to forget that nearly 500 million people, each with their own stories, live in the region, and millions more call it home. It is easy to disregard its many vibrant cultures in favor of a monolithic Middle East. It is easy to hear only the voices that perpetuate this perception.

Witnessing half a century of Middle Eastern history through an elderly American diplomat's camera inspires a group of seven young people to tell stories, confront misperceptions, and share hope for the future.