How Saudi Arabia is paving the way for Mideast security and stability

Arab News

17 hours ago

History, driven by geographical and geopolitical realities, has repeatedly revealed a clear and fundamental pattern: Imbalances of power often lead to conflict and widespread suffering.
The Middle East, a region abundant in diversity, rich history, and untapped potential, cannot afford to fall into this trap.
Saudi Arabia and other countries, through diplomacy and initiatives, such as Vision 2030, demonstrate how rational thinking, regional cooperation, and the pursuit of peace can provide a framework for stability and security.
History offers valuable lessons on the dangers of power imbalances. For instance, the collapse of Sparta in ancient Greece serves as a stark warning. When one player becomes overwhelmingly powerful, it inevitably triggers unified resistance.
When Sparta emerged as the hegemonic power in Greece following the Peloponnesian War, many of its allies grew resentful of its heavy-handed policies and began to rebel. This growing dissatisfaction, combined with internal strife, economic stagnation, and rival coalitions, led to Sparta's downfall.
The Napoleonic Wars provide another striking example of how the hegemonic ambitions of a single power can unite others against it, leading to widespread conflict and immense costs for all involved.
Napoleon Bonaparte sought to establish French hegemony over Europe by conquering and subjugating other nations, thereby disrupting the balance of power on the European continent.
In response, a series of coalitions — comprising Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia and others — formed to counter his ambitions. Although Napoleon's military genius allowed him to dominate much of Europe for years, his aggressive policies and disregard for diplomacy ultimately united his rivals.
This unity, however, came at a great cost: the Napoleonic Wars devastated entire regions, drained economies, and caused millions of deaths. After Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna faced the monumental task of restoring stability.
While it succeeded in establishing a new balance of power in 1815, Europe remained deeply scarred. These scars were crucial to bringing stability because there was the fear of the immense costs of war.
In other words, peace in Europe was maintained because the Europeans, especially Prussia, were determined to preserve the balance of power out of fear for their own existence.
Similarly, the Second World War provides a stark example of the dangers of upsetting regional stability. Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, sought to establish hegemony over Europe, disrupting the balance of power and plunging the world into the deadliest conflict in human history.
This destabilization forced even distant powers, such as the US, to intervene, joining forces with the Soviet Union and the UK against Germany at an immense human and economic cost. The war left tens of millions dead and entire regions in ruin, proving again that the unchecked pursuit of power is disastrous for all involved.
These historical examples underscore the dangers of allowing a single player to disrupt the balance of power in a system. In the context of the Middle East, it serves as a powerful reminder that rational decision-making, collaboration, and commitment to peace are needed to avoid similar cycles of conflict and destruction.
In the Middle East, where tensions unfortunately run deep from time to time, allowing such an imbalance to arise could be catastrophic — not only for the weaker players.
If all players in the Middle East prioritize rational decision-making over short-term gains, they will see that true power lies not in hegemonic policies but in collaboration. The region holds immense potential for prosperity if its resources, human capital, and diverse cultures are harnessed and aligned under a unified vision for peace.
The end of what US President Donald Trump has labeled the '12-Day War' between Iran and Israel, which concluded 16 days ago, is possibly a flicker of hope for the beginning of a new era of peace and stability. It reminds rational actors in the region of the power of dialogue.
The Middle East can draw valuable lessons from history, particularly from Otto von Bismarck, the 19th-century statesman who unified Germany and maintained peace in Europe through pragmatic diplomacy and strategic alliances.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reflects a modern approach to fostering security and stability in the region. By prioritizing diplomacy, cooperation, economic integration and innovation over conflict, Saudi Arabia is showing how states can achieve shared prosperity.
This framework, as the only significant plan currently in place, can help all players strengthen their economic relationships. It offers a sustainable path forward, where collaboration ensures peace and progress for the entire region.