- The BRICS countries are positioning themselves as a powerful alternative to Western dominance, challenging US hegemony.
- BRICS’ push for a new global financial system and de-dollarization reflects its multipolar vision, attracting interest from Africa and the Middle East.
In a landmark moment for global geopolitics, the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—recently concluded their summit in Kazan, signaling an escalating effort to establish a multipolar world order that could challenge the dominance of the United States and its allies. Against the backdrop of major geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and upcoming US elections, the BRICS bloc is emerging as a compelling alternative to Western liberal democracy and economic frameworks.
This coalition transcends economic cooperation; it represents a transformative ideological shift, one aiming to forge a world not solely centered on Western or capitalist values. Spearheaded by Russia and China, the BRICS vision envisions a global reorganization based on respect for diverse civilizational values and a break from the West’s long-standing influence over global governance structures. This ambitious project, however, is not expected to materialize overnight—it may require three to four decades for BRICS to fully achieve its transformative goals.
A Push to Undermine the Dollar
One of the central BRICS strategies is the move towards “de-dollarization,” a gradual but profound shift from the US dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency. Plans for a new reserve currency exclusive to BRICS nations are actively underway, bolstered by steps to establish an alternative international payment network to SWIFT, the US-based system that currently dominates global transactions.
The New Development Bank, headquartered in Shanghai, has undergone significant reforms to align with these goals, and a BRICS payment system is in development, intended to facilitate trade and investment within the bloc free from dollar dependence. This strategy has already taken root in trade between Russia and China, where transactions are increasingly conducted in national currencies rather than the dollar.
The African continent, too, has emerged as a pivotal player in BRICS‘ global vision. Africa’s longstanding ambitions for economic autonomy and reduced Western influence find alignment with BRICS’ multipolar agenda. Ethiopia and Egypt have recently joined the coalition, and several other African nations, including Nigeria and Zimbabwe, are exploring membership.
These developments signal a broader, modern-day wave of decolonization, as African nations see BRICS membership as a pathway to economic independence and new developmental partnerships outside the Western framework. Nigeria, with its abundant natural resources and vast population, holds potential to become a major contributor to this new geopolitical configuration.
In a significant shift, Turkey, a NATO member, is now considering BRICS membership, marking a profound historical pivot. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has cultivated a diplomatic balance between NATO obligations and deepening relations with Russia, China, and India. This strategy is not without domestic opposition; many in Turkey’s political establishment remain loyal to its Atlantic alliances. Nevertheless, Turkey’s geographic and diplomatic positioning between East and West allows it to act as a bridge, making its potential BRICS membership a critical element in the bloc’s expansion.
Recent upheavals in the Middle East, particularly the conflict in Gaza, have significantly shifted regional dynamics. The normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia, central to Western influence in the area, has stalled amid escalating violence, prompting several Arab nations to explore BRICS as an alternative. Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, exemplifies the delicate balancing act in the region, expressing interest in joining BRICS while attempting to maintain its traditional alliance with the United States.
As Saudi society undergoes rapid modernization, it confronts the complex task of reconciling this BRICS alignment with its long-held strategic ties to the West.
Looking ahead, Brazil’s presidency of BRICS in 2025 promises to be pivotal. Under President Lula’s leadership, Brazil has renewed its diplomatic and cultural ties with Africa, fostering an inclusive BRICS agenda that reflects the historical connections between the two regions, especially through Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian heritage. Lula’s presidency could position Brazil as a bridge not only to Africa but also to Latin America, where the appeal of BRICS is steadily growing despite the ongoing influence of the Monroe Doctrine and Washington’s substantial military and economic presence.
As BRICS expands, Latin American nations may find new avenues for independence from US economic dominance through the coalition’s evolving multipolar vision.
The Kazan summit of 2024 marked a historic inflection point for BRICS, as the bloc continues to assert itself as a credible and organized alternative to traditional Western institutions. It is a bold move toward restructuring global governance, challenging the Bretton Woods system that has directed the world economy since World War II. With multipolarity gaining traction, BRICS offers a fresh approach to international collaboration based on equality, cultural recognition, and a rejection of universal Western hegemony.