The bombs are still falling. Does diplomacy even work?

World leaders met at the United Nations to talk about avenues toward peace even as armed conflicts continue in various regions. The juxtaposition of diplomatic talks with ongoing violence has prompted urgent questions about whether negotiation and multilateral engagement can produce meaningful progress under those conditions.

In a segment produced by Al Jazeera, correspondent Emma Withrow asked Al Anoud Al Thani, identified as a Nonresident Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, to address what diplomacy can realistically achieve while hostilities are active. The exchange underscores a recurring dilemma faced by mediators and diplomats: engaging parties in negotiations amid ongoing military operations.

The line of questioning reflects a broader international debate over timing, leverage and the mechanisms through which diplomacy might reduce violence, secure ceasefires, or create space for humanitarian access. By taking the discussion to the UN setting, the interview situates those operational and political challenges within a forum where states, international organizations, and civil society commonly seek coordinated responses.

The conversation captured by Al Jazeera points to continuing scrutiny of diplomatic effectiveness in real time. As leaders continue to meet and speak about peace, observers and practitioners alike are examining what measurable outcomes diplomacy can produce while armed conflict endures.