At the risk of sounding a little like Kos here, I've personally never had much sympathy for Americans who voluntarily go, and take their families, to potential or actual war zones like Beirut, whether the purpose of their presence is work or vacation.
If you go to places like that at the request of the gov't and with its express or implicit agreement to protect you, then the gov't has a duty to get you out safely. But otherwise, you're pretty much on your own. So good luck with all that.
I had former neighbors that took their 4 little girls repeatedly to a war spot in Africa. Those poor kids had malaria, dysentery, parasites, etc.
The wife finally developed a medical condition that prevented the return to Africa. (Insurance wouldnt cover)
I have to this day felt like God intervened in that case. Sad.
Parents, you want to go to these places, fine. Take your chances.
Dont drag the children too......
That was my first thought of the day. Why are the Americans over there??? Why would American college students be getting an education over there? What would they possibly have that we do not??