Good words, Fossil. I have family in Lebanon, whom have now been safely evacuated to Cyprus.
I'm the third generation of a military family born and raised here in the USA, since my grandparents left Lebanon more than 60 years ago. As traditional Maronite/Orthodox Catholics, we've never had any quarrel with Israel....nor do most of the Christian Lebanese caught up in the current conflict ensuing now, and who are again witnessing the total destruction of their beautiful homeland. The country and it's peaceful people have been hijacked by terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, with help in no small part by Syria and Iran. There is, unfortunately no prospect for peace nor negotiating with these factions, whose ultimate goal is the destruction of the state of Israel. As for the all of the Muslim Arabs, I feel sorrow only for their children, who'll carry on the poisonous hatred instilled in them by their parents and their skewed interpretation of Islam. The cycle of violence repeats and feeds on itself, ensuring that there will never be any lasting peace in the middle east. Fossil, You're absolutely right...Jordan1st may well have his work cut out for him.