经过长期的相对平静，这是四年来黎巴嫩发生的第一次大型爆炸袭击，但很多人担心这样的袭击早晚还会发生，担心黎巴嫩不可避免地被拖入邻国叙利亚的战乱中。黎巴嫩一些政治领导人指责叙利亚阿萨德当局是袭击的幕后凶手。目前的危险不仅在于会有更多袭击发生，而且黎巴嫩的许多武装政治组织之间的局势也会紧张。

The United States has invited Burma to observe a major military exercise in neighboring Thailand in a clearer sign yet for improving relations between the two countries. Burma has yet to respond the offer. Jonathan Head has more.

美国邀请缅甸观看邻国泰国的一场大型军事演习，这个迹象进一步表明两国的关系正在改善。缅甸尚未对邀请作出回应，Jonathan Head报道。

Renewing ties with the Burmese army forces is a far more delicate issue for the United States in its recent decision to end economic sanctions. There are still serious concerns about the army's treatment of civilians in conflict zones and over its commitment to democratization, but the US appears to be ready to take that gamble. Thai officials say that Burmese officers will be invited to attend next year's Cobra Gold military exercise, which involves thousands of troops from the US, Thailand and other countries from the region.

在美国最近决定结束对缅甸的经济制裁的努力中，与缅甸军队重新建立关系是个更复杂的问题。美国仍很担心军队在冲突地区对平民的态度，以及其对民主化的承诺，但美国显然准备放手一搏。泰国官方称将邀请缅甸官员参加明年的“金色眼镜蛇”军事演习，来自美国、邻国的泰国等国的军队也将参加演习。