On January 1, 2025, BRICS expanded by welcoming nine new partner countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. This expansion follows the admission of four new members in 2024 and is part of BRICS’ strategy to enhance its influence and promote economic cooperation among Global South nations. With these additions, BRICS now represents approximately half of the global population and over 41% of the world’s GDP (PPP), positioning itself as a significant economic powerhouse in commodities like oil, gas, grains, and minerals. The group aims to de-dollarize the international monetary system and is actively inviting more nations to join its ranks

Editor’s Note: The growing economic influence of BRICS, now representing a significant portion of the global population and GDP, poses a formidable challenge to Western dominance led by the U.S. and its allies, which have historically relied on military engagements to sustain their economic models. While BRICS emphasizes cooperation among developing nations and seeks to establish alternative economic frameworks, the U.S. grapples with soaring debt and inflationary policies that undermine its financial stability. The reliance on war and military expenditure as a means to bolster economic performance contrasts sharply with BRICS’ focus on collective development and trade, suggesting a potential shift in global power dynamics. As BRICS continues to expand, its ability to foster economic resilience may further expose the vulnerabilities of a U.S.-centric system increasingly dependent on conflict rather than constructive engagement.

Will BRICS become the next world superpower? It all depends on the ambition of its member countries. So far, it looks like BRICS is focused on economics. Should the bloc decide to transitioning into a military alliance like that of NATO, would surely change power dynamics and could lead to the escalation and expansion of NATO’s war against Russia [also read Turkey’s BRICS Bid Signals Shift in Global Power Dynamics, NATO INVADES RUSSIA, The Real Cause of the Ukraine War: NATO’s Continued Expansion].

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