Thanks.
When applying in Germany, if everything goes well, you can get a Blue Card with two trips to the foreigners' office -- one to apply and another to pick it up a few weeks later.
Presumably you'd be able to get the visa to seek work pending a Blue Card with a single visit to the foreigners' office.
Salaries are much lower than the US in Berlin, where the range is roughly €35k-75k. With your experience I'd expect you to be in the €40-55k range here.
in Beirut, it is extremely difficult if not impossible, the media reported cases where they hit people with a whip on borders: http://bit.ly/17ohTMP
for Dubai you chances are either:
1. a visit visa (need a good job and a letter from your employer)
2. Student visa (need around 8000 Euros in a German bank account - no bank will give you that, especially from outside germany)