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If the expected Israeli attack on Lebanon ends up with an occupation of part of south Lebanon and the creation of a buffer zone maintained by mutual deterrence, it will empower Hezbollah and create a front line for global confrontation in this increasingly bipolar world.

Like the people of Gaza, Lebanon feels powerless and hostage to an armed militia that could drag it into a destructive war it does not want and for objectives that go beyond its borders.

Universities are today facing a balancing act, in which they need to provide a complete education that includes both professional degrees and the liberal arts, while at the same time adapting to new trends.

If the US and its allies in the Gulf states are serious about turning the page and solving the conflicts of the region, the place to start should be Lebanon. It is a barometer that can foresee both problems and their solutions.