I found most interesting the call of a Christian Lebanese man to stay and fight for a “native, free, open, and pluralist society” in Lebanon. As a professor, it is clear his interactions with younger generations gives him hope. The significant atrophy of the Lebanese Christian community has clearly taken a toll on those who remain. An escapist mentality, however, does not serve the long-term goal of creating a federalist, peaceful, and pluralistic society. A glimmer of this hope was seen in the spontaneous organization of young people to aid in the cleanup of the port explosion. It would seem to be our duty, should we hope to promote peace in Lebanon, to support the established systems in Lebanon. These include the “technology, health, finance, innovation, and education” sectors in Lebanon. I wonder how much can be done by outside Western forces, as it is such an unstable and unsafe region at this current time. I also wonder, with the many sects each ruled by prominent families, how federalist leadership development can be safely introduced and supported in the midst of Iran’s hijacking. There is a definite urgency to saving a healthy, pluralistic society suffering at the hands of power-hungry, corrupt, and violent movements.
