BEIRUT ¨C In Lebanon today, all the symptoms of the Middle East¡¯s current turmoil are visible. Newly arrived refugees from Syria and Iraq are joining Palestinian refugees who have long been here. The country hasn¡¯t had a president for two years, as rival political factions, reflecting the rising enmity between their Iranian and Saudi Arabian backers, are weakening domestic governance. Political corruption runs rampant. The garbage doesn¡¯t always get picked up.

But Lebanon also shows signs of resilience. Investors and entrepreneurs are taking risks to start new businesses. Civil-society groups are proposing and implementing useful initiatives. Refugees are going to school. Political enemies are collaborating to minimize security risks, and religious leaders advocate coexistence and tolerance.

Lebanon¡¯s resilience owes much to the memory of its painful civil war (1975-1990). By contrast, the rest of the region¡¯s experiences ¡ª which involve a long history of autocratic governance and neglect of long-simmering grievances ¡ª have fanned the flames of conflict. Syria, Iraq and Yemen are now riven by war. Meanwhile, the Palestinians¡¯ worsening plight is still a perennial grievance on the Arab and Muslim street. In this maelstrom, new radical groups with transnational agendas are blossoming.