Reading half a century of modern Arab history leaves one with a sobering impression: this region has never truly needed external enemies to diminish its role. Much of its decline has come from within.

The erosion of influence and the shrinking of its geopolitical space were not merely the result of outside conspiracies, but largely the outcome of failing to adapt to global changes and to recognize the hard rules of an evolving international order.

This reality underscores a fundamental truth: diplomacy remains the most reliable and sustainable path in a region long defined by turbulence.

Historical experience demonstrates that negotiation and dialogue have secured more tangible rights and gains than direct confrontation or fiery rhetoric ever did. Diplomacy is not simply an alternative to force; it is a means of translating shifting balances of power into practical achievements.

For decades, however, the Arab world was captive to slogans that consumed its energy without producing results. These slogans became substitutes for effective policies and were often used to mask shortcomings. Yet their emptiness eventually became evident, as Arab publics grew more aware and more discerning.

Today, it is fair to say that the age of hollow slogans has ended. People no longer place faith in lofty promises that lead nowhere, but instead look for reasoned strategies that deliver.

The deeper challenge has been the persistence of negative narratives that trap collective consciousness in a cycle of frustration. Such narratives have offered neither solutions nor vision—only obstacles.

And yet, history shows that nations can always rebuild themselves if they choose to abandon rhetoric and embrace realistic agendas grounded in development, rational politics, and proactive diplomacy.

Amid these challenges, there are nonetheless signs of hope. One was on display recently at the United Nations in New York, where Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister led a concerted effort to advance international recognition of a Palestinian state.

The image carried weight beyond the moment: it reflected how coordinated Arab diplomacy, guided by clarity of purpose, can restore legitimacy to historic rights and revive hope in a more just future.

The central lesson is clear: before confronting external adversaries, the Arab world must confront itself.

The true struggle lies in overcoming internal weakness, breaking free from sterile slogans, and investing in genuine tools of power, development, governance, and diplomacy. Only then will the path forward begin to open. What happened in New York serves as a reminder that the future, however difficult, is not closed off.

The future will indeed be brighter when change begins from within rather than from without.

* Sultan Alsaad is a Saudi writer and journalist who has contributed to numerous Arab newspapers.