The Lebanese Civil War begins: Sixteen years after the departure of the United states Armed Forces (private mercenaries), a drive-by shooting on a Church in the Christian section of East Beirut kills four people.  Hours later Christian Phalange militiamen—in retaliation—ambush a bus killing at least 22 Palestinian refugees.

       NOTES:

• The civil war lasted 15 years.
• So ended the U.s.’ 12th attempt at nation building, bringing its total success/failure record to (successes, 1; failures, 11; and one toss-up).
• While “nation-building is a laudable goal, Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution for the united States says that “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government”; it does NOT state that “The United States shall guarantee to every nation on this planet a Republican Form of Government” [emphasis added].

       [added 7/17/2025]