For the states to compete in the international world, they have to follow he norms and values of the international order. It is unfortunate that we as muslims are still stuck in past, dream about the victories of the past, and want to realize those victories in the current international politics.
Pre-world war 2 international politics was based on the principles of hardcore realism in which states/empires would compete militarily, expand territories, physically colonize other nations, and enforce own ideologies with iron hand.
However, the current international politics is based on the principles of Liberalism. Unfortunately, liberalism has always faces rejection in the muslim world because of its cons, resultantly, sidelining its pros. This approach has had an immense toll on the development of the muslim world. If liberalism reinforced with Islamic principles, the muslim world can easily gain their lost legacy of the past. Liberalism in simple world advocates for non-military approach in international politics, more diplomatic endeavors in conflicts, economic strength maximization, provision of social justice, and uniform distribution of basic human rights. Also, liberalism accepts military use for defensive purposes, and this point,undoubtedly, coincides with the military use in Islam.
The bottom line is that the Islamic world,instead of only telling the stories of the past and trying to practically implement the strategies of the past, should focus on the new rules of the game, embellish them with Islamic guidelines, and try to excel by following them.
