BRICS Expansion in MENA: Shifting Dynamics in Global Alliances
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing significant shifts in the global order, and the expansion of the BRICS group reflects this dynamic. Comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS serves as a counterbalance to the G7. In January 2024, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and the UAE received invitations to join BRICS, aiming to level what they perceive as an “unfair” global playing field. The expansion signals a strategic move to include geopolitical, rather than purely ideological, members.
Analysts anticipate that the UAE has accepted the offer, while Iran and Egypt are likely to follow suit for potential financial benefits. Saudi Arabia, considering the proposal, seeks to balance its relations with the United States and strengthen ties with nations like China. The move, not seen as anti-Western, signifies a response to the shifting priorities of Western allies, particularly as the U.S. signals reduced engagement in the region.
Iran, facing strained relations with the West due to sanctions, views BRICS membership as a way to challenge the dominance of the U.S.-led international system. The inclusion of major oil-producing nations — Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia — has significant implications for global oil trade and financial mechanisms within the BRICS bloc. While regional differences persist, the admission of these four MENA countries into BRICS highlights a structural shift that could enhance their collective leverage in the evolving multipolar world.