The Unilateral Progress          The American University of Beirut and Lebanon are pursuing similar economic policies.  Marketing the services that they have to offer falls among the top priorities of the list of both of them.  I have to say that at least AUB is doing a better job.     Despite its many drawbacks, AUB has received pledges for $23.7 million in the past few months.  With the plans for the construction of a new Business School, the Hostler Gym, and Abou Khater's Outpatient Department building, AUB has been certainly on the rise.  Of course, we know that it will take ages before these projects crystallize, but we are sure that they will come true some day or another.    Lebanon, for its part, has been trying to market itself as "another Dubai," to put it in the words of PM Rafic Hariri.  Yet, Lebanon is not able to get donations and contributions.  Instead, it is opting for loans through issuing treasury bonds.  Lebanon has so many holes in its administration that it loses around $1 billion a year because of corruption.  The Chairperson of the World Bank, James Woolfenson, alarmed the Lebanese about the fact that Lebanon is on the verge of losing its credibility in soliciting loans.  The Lebanese situation, in general, is critical.    Services at AUB have witnessed a boom.  Students surely appreciate the installation of the long awaited AUB Student Information System.  Course registration, grades, and other student information are all available on-line. The Publications Office, is a problem we have been citing for some time.  The situation in this office now foretells of the coming of better days.  Many other facilities are still waiting for their renovation.  AUB is still not comparable to leading American universities.  But on the level of the Middle Eastern region, we think AUB is regaining its prominent position.  For example, the American University in Cairo and the American University in Dubai are still lagging behind.     Of course we disagree with many AUB administration policies.  We might agree that a competitive Business School is a priority in the region, but on an international level, only  good graduate programs (MA and PhD) will attract foreign students to AUB.  Generally speaking, it is safe to assume that many administration policies have paid off recently.  AUB is expected to attract non-Lebanese students soon.      Lebanese services, for their part, are by no means up to attracting foreign investors.  How does the Lebanese government conceive of attracting foreign investors with United Nations reports about corruption and Woolfenson's alarms about Lebanon's running out of time?    Compare Lebanon's numbers to that of another state in our region, like Iran, for instance, and you'll be horrified.  Lebanon's debt is hitting $27 billion, and its unemployment percentage is estimated at 20% for a population of 4 million.  Iran's debt is $20 million, and its unemployment 10% for a population of 60 million.  Lebanon seems to be desperate, incompetent, and has missed the train for regaining its past legacy.    Inasmuch as AUB students feel relieved when watching their University steadily progressing, they probably feel anxious when realizing that they might have to look for another country.