What I learned at the American University of Beirut

Written in stone, American University of Beirut entrance: "That they nay have life and have it more abundantly."

I have a friend in Washington. Her name is Pat Bergerstrasser. A lovely woman, in her seventies maybe? She's one of those Americans who loves Iran. She lived there with her two sons for a couple of years during Rafsanjani's presidency in the early 90's or maybe a bit earlier. She has good memories of her interaction with Iranians and always surprises me with how much Persian she still remembers.

Whenever I'm in Washington I try to have lunch with Pat. We often talk about US-Iran relations and how it can be restored. It can't, I insist, no matter how much the Americans beg, or express regret for past mistakes or give assurances that they do not want to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

Iranian officials, with very few exceptions, would not mind at all if relations with the US were normalized. Deep down they are fine with it. But they have kept this anti-American facade for so long that they prefer to remain trapped behind it. It doesn't make sense but since when has the Islamic Republic made any sense?

On the other hand, what about all this American militarism? Nothing smart about that either. When one thinks about American foreign policy in the Middle East these days, the images that come to mind are invasions, missile-firing drones and aircraft carriers.

One day I asked Pat about the logic behind the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Instead of spending hundreds of billions of dollars on war and military stuff, why not build ten hospitals? Why not build schools and universities? Why not give people piped water and electricity? Why not build roads and railways? Wouldn't these cost a lot less than war and bloodshed?

"Washington doesn't work that way," she said. "If the war in Iraq costs, let's say $10 billion a week, you can't just reallocate that to build a 100 clinics or 200 schools."

"Why not?"

"Because politicians cannot face their American constituents and justify spending money on development projects in other countries. But they can easily convince them on spending money on the military."

I wasn't convinced. "Of course they can justify cutting military spending and increasing foreign development! If they explain to the American people that it's more important to carry out humanitarian projects they would understand. They've got their priorities wrong. They can't see beyond the mountain of tanks and guns pilled up in front of their eyes."

I remembered that conversation when I visited the American University of Beirut a few weeks ago.

When you enter the campus it's a whole different world. Paradise compared to the surrounding war-torn city. It's truly beautiful. Lush green lawns, surrounded by flowers and rows of towering cypress trees on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean.

The stone buildings look impressive. The students are full of hope and dreams. They have a bright future ahead of them, a lot brighter than what's going on beyond the university wall.

In its 150-year history the AUB has trained thousands of people. People who have served their country and humanity at large with the knowledge and global culture gained on these grounds. They have had a positive, constructive existence. And they have been appreciative of America.

The good will towards the U.S. created as a result of activities of centers like this is immeasurable. In Iran, Americans built what today is known as the Alborz High School. It still produces the best students in the country. Before the revolution there were many American schools in Tehran, Shiraz and other cities. They provided the best education and opened Iranian minds to the world beyond their closed society.

Shiraz University was famous for its exchange program and academic collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. And what is known today as the Imam Sadegh University in Tehran's Shahrak e Gharb used to be associated with the Harvard Business School.

Other than providing quality education, there were excellent medical centers as well. Iranians still remember the American Hospital in Tehran as one of the very best in the country.

Most of these centers were set up and managed by private entities. But they would not have existed without support from policy makers in Washington. Today the Islamic Republic makes it impossible for foreigners to manage schools and hospitals. But what's the excuse in Afghanistan and Iraq? Why is the American reconstruction and development budget so small in those countries compared to military spending? And what about expenditures in other regional countries?

There was a time -- in the 1960's and 70's -- when the Peace Corps carried out vital projects in rural areas, namely in Iran. Young idealistic American youth put their heart and soul into improving the lives of impoverished villagers. Those humanitarian efforts left a lasting impression. With the end of the Cold War, however, the Peace Corps lost its vitality, and importance in American foreign policy. But not the Marine Corps.

That's unfortunate. I always hoped my daughter would join the Peace Corps and serve the needy in some distant land for a couple of years. But America has changed. Or at least America's image has changed. Today militarism dominates foreign policy. American diplomats in the Middle East hide inside embassies that look more like barracks or bunkers. They rarely step outside and mingle with the people. Their fear and retreat is unnecessary and counter-productive.

I've shared all this only because I was inspired by the hour I spent walking around the AUB campus. I prayed for its founders and wished a hundred times that there were more institutions like it. We would be living in a much better world.

I took these phtotos during my visit. Enjoy!