Everyone predicts an explosion. There are militiamen in Ein el Hilweh, young men with experienced instructors who train them to do battle with Israel. They are Islamic warriors in a community increasingly falling back on belief, both for sustenance in battle and solace and support in social life. But there are not many of them. Rhetoric stands in for planning.
Implosion is more likely.
The only direction of any explosion would be towards Israel, if peace moves collapse, and the options are war or attrition. For now, while everyone tries frantically to pump life into the peace discussions, the Lebanese and the Syrians must trust that the daily fight for survival soaks up all the energies of Arafat's forgotten Palestinians. Nepal's night of bloodshed Bridging the divide for India's future Middle East's circle of despair Surviving the Sudanese conflict Going back to Romania Taleban's foreign militants Links to more From Our Own Correspondent stories are at the foot of the page.