https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/02/22/road-trip/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 01:17:53 -0400<![CDATA[By the time you read this, I should be somewhere over the Indian Ocean after eleven fascinating and wonderful days in Lebanon, in the company of Christopher Hitchens  and whole other cast of distinguished characters. It was a trip in two acts about one subject: Lebanese Democracy. Sunnis, Shia, Christians and Druze turned out in force in Martyr&#8217;s Square to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri, which brought on an unprecedented backlash against Syria. We saw the principal speakers from a distance from the midst of a vast crowd. That was the first act. In the subsequent days, we would meet them personally. Walid Jumblatt in his castle, Samir Geagea in his mountaintop eyrie, and the Lebanese Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora. As often happens in plays, the most fascinating action took place offstage.]]>Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:00:39 -0500<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2009/02/22/road-trip-n187303