The powerful leave lasting imprints on the lives of their nations and peoples. These imprints come in various forms—some requiring entire eras to heal the wounds inflicted by their creators. History is not a neutral archive of such legacies. It welcomes those who enter its tunnels but later rises to reexamine their trials. It reserves an extraordinary balcony for those who lead their people toward progress, justice, and the building of bridges.
History is an autopsy room that reopens cases, wounds, and trials, dismantling narratives perfumed by officialdom and coated with cosmetics. The nature of an imprint depends on the individual’s capabilities, the sensitivity of the turning point, and the weight of the stage on which they act.
The first quarter of this century passed quickly, marked by the explosion of accumulated knowledge and research, which flung open the gates of scientific and technological advancement. We are now under the stewardship of a transformative visitor: Artificial Intelligence. This visitor will reshape our world, redefine our lifestyles, and enhance the experiences of doctors, engineers, teachers, generals, and intelligence officers. Honoring scientists, vaccine developers, and pioneers of intellectual, artistic, and cultural advancement is best left to experts in those fields. Our task is to explore the imprints left by the practitioners of politics and its intricate arts.
Boris Yeltsin was excessive in everything. He staggered, and with him staggered Russia, scarred by its emergence from Soviet rubble. Yeltsin chose to depart with the century, handing the Kremlin’s keys to an enigmatic officer from the KGB, marked by the disillusionment of the Berlin Wall’s collapse. Vladimir Putin rescued the Russian Federation from disintegration, subdued regional barons, and brought oligarchs to heel. Calm, cold, and ruthless, he leaves no room for refusal—even if the poison cup comes as a gift from the czar. Putin deceived the West and rebuilt the Red Army, which now fights on Ukrainian soil, supported by comrades dispatched by Kim Il-sung’s grandson.
Putin had been awaiting Donald Trump’s gifts when the winds of the Syrian debacle hit. He smiles. Bashar al-Assad was a difficult case, one who listened to advice only to forget it, deluding himself with the ability to balance on many ropes. The same ship cannot be rescued twice. The world has spent a quarter-century with Putin, who has tamed constitutions and generals, skillfully playing, in recent times, the strings of his nuclear arsenal. Putin now has the opportunity to recount, with his “guest” Bashar al-Assad, the story of a quarter-century of global history.
The first quarter of this century also bore the imprint of a man who rose to prominence in its second decade: Xi Jinping. Since 2013, Xi has captained the Chinese ship. A formidable leader, he redefined the rules of governance, dismantling collective leadership and “persuading” China to abandon term limits for its presidency. He waged a relentless war on corruption and adopted a more assertive foreign policy. Because parties love strongmen, Xi secured a position akin to the “Great Helmsman.” A skilled leader, Xi allows Mao Zedong to rest honored in his grave, while Mao’s red book now serves as a strict tool for enforcing order and suppressing dissent. Xi leads with patience and precision. Fortunately, he has refrained from recklessly leaping into Taiwan as Putin did with Ukraine.
A year after Xi assumed the presidency in China, India entrusted the office of Prime Minister to another strongman, Narendra Modi, who remains in power. Modi has reduced the risks of conflict with China and reaped significant benefits from a Russia mired in Ukraine, all while recognizing that global leadership remains firmly in America’s hands for now. India has become indispensable to many. Russia relies on India to avoid becoming entirely dependent on its Chinese ally. America needs India to balance China’s rise in Asia and globally. Modi has capitalized on the economic policies of his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, which modernized and integrated India’s economy, fostering technological progress and combating poverty. Modi’s long tenure has allowed him to leave a deep imprint on India’s domestic and international trajectory.
In the Middle East, we are accustomed to discussing imprints left by collapses: Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya, Bashar al-Assad’s Syria—or the imprints of wars orchestrated by Benjamin Netanyahu. Yet, we dream of a Middle East marked by imprints that open the doors to the future rather than revisiting the wounds of the past.
In the latter half of the second decade, a young man emerged from Saudi Arabia: Mohammed bin Salman. The young leader earned the trust of his father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who saw in him both the heritage of the past and the brilliance of the future. The ability to connect with people is a rare talent that shapes turning points and leaves lasting imprints. Saudi youth sensed a historic opportunity and rose to meet it. A bond of love, loyalty, and hope formed between the nation’s untapped potential and the architect of dreams and goals behind Vision 2030. Locks that once constrained opportunities were shattered.
Saudi Arabia has transformed into a ceaseless workshop, where dreams materialize and pave the way for even greater ambitions. Reforms have evolved into a comprehensive renaissance, marked by profound changes in the economy and everyday life. Hope now courses through society, uniting generations in the belief that a bright future will preserve the legacy of the past. Words like progress, investment, prosperity, partnerships, and innovation define today’s Saudi Arabia. Visitors find a nation focused on collaboration and bridge-building, leaving behind the conflicts of the past.
Mohammed bin Salman’s imprints on Saudi Arabia’s transformation are unmistakable. His vision presents a model that resonates with many in the Arab and Islamic worlds. Our destiny is not to clash with the world but to equip ourselves to engage with it and help shape a better future for generations to come. Mohammed bin Salman’s persistence in pursuing his dreams inspires hope, urging visitors not to despair over the region’s challenges. He dares to envision a future Middle East reminiscent of Europe’s prosperity and harmony. Achieving such a vision requires balanced and fruitful relationships with Beijing, Moscow, and, of course, Washington, which prepares for Trump’s return.
As we close a year and a quarter-century, the world has the right to dream of better days. And the people of the Middle East have the right to nurture such dreams, despite the grim scenes from Gaza’s hospitals and Damascus’ prisons.
