Wow. This is interesting. "Persian" rugs made during wars in Afghanistan, and you can buy them! Some of them have very overt themes and wouldn't really work well as a rug in one's house.

However, the best ones are subtle.... At first glance you see the standard assortment of symetrical patterns and color typically found on a "persian" rug. The sort of thing that anyone in America might have under the table in his dining room, or the couch in the living room. But if you look closely, if you really pay attention to the detail, you notice that in with all the other shapes and patterns in the rug are little tanks and AK-47s.

Have you ever closely examined such a rug in someone's home? Looked carefully at what the shapes are supposed to symbolize? I haven't. I've had rugs like this around my entire life and I don't think I've ever paid them careful attention. You could probably have such a thing in a common area in your house and no one would ever notice.