BRICS

President Prabowo Subianto's about-turn on membership of the economic grouping is about status rather than material gains.

Brazil takes the helm at a moment when diplomatic pragmatism should take precedence over some of the bloc’s more polarizing initiatives.

The decision to apply for membership reflects President Prabowo Subianto's more proactive approach to foreign policy.

BRICS states’ de-dollarization efforts are unlikely to beat the greenback’s continuing preference globally.

While it may not yet be a powerful alliance, BRICS has the potential to be an attractive alternative for the countries of the Global South to pursue their national interests.

Ideological politics is not on the agenda for these states, but economics, climate, and food security are. 

The announcement comes after the nation and three Southeast Asian neighbors were anointed BRICS "partner countries."

Indian policymakers have aimed to take advantage of the significant strategic and economic opportunities arising from the rivalries and competition between the U.S. and China, as well as the U.S. and Russia.

China’s unquestioning support of the Maduro government in Venezuela is out of step with its ambitions in the rest of Latin America.

In addition to economic benefits, Putrajaya hopes that membership will give Malaysia, and the Global South, a greater voice in international affairs.

As it expands, the grouping has become increasingly incapable of articulating a coherent political, security, or economic vision.

Member nations are unhappy with the systemic bias against the Global South and want to reform the current order such that mutually agreed upon norms are applied equally to all nations.

Both Indo-Pacific and BRICS+ dynamics deter such a possibility.

Much more than a new acronym, the BRICS grouping lacks a common denominator.

Bangkok is hedging its bets, and fully seizing all the opportunities that multilateralism presents.

Bangkok says that membership would help boost the country's global economic and political profile.

India’s potential veto is a problem, but the bigger hurdle could be Pakistan’s internal dysfunction.

Analysis of 30 years of U.N. data reveals that China and Russia have been far more successful in winning support for their positions from the global community.

BRICS eyes expansion, but without a coherent agenda. Meanwhile, rhetoric about respect for international law sours beside Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

New Zealand needs to think more about the BRICS, and the developing world in general.

China and Russia are keen to expand BRICS into a coalition to counter the U.S. Brazil and India, however, are reluctant.

BRICS’ development-focused diplomacy allows India to pursue a broader agenda than the Quad – and one more focused on the concerns of developing countries.

India must prevent China from using BRICS expansion to grow its strategic influence in the developing world.

The main summit of BRICS leaders, set for August, could be one of the most important in the bloc's short history as it contemplates expansion.