Calls for reforming the international order, amplified by Beijing and Moscow, are gaining traction in the Global South. Is the U.S. paying enough attention?
While much has been said about the emergence of a more « multipolar » world order, far less attention has been paid in the United States, and the West more generally, to the actual causes and consequences of a trend that is gaining traction across many parts of the globe.
Most recently, evidence of this shift was apparent during the recent BRICS summit hosted by South Africa alongside fellow member states China, Brazil, India and Russia. Beijing and Moscow predictably used the annual gathering as an opportunity to deliver swipes at the U.S., portraying the country as a hegemonic power unwilling to contend with emerging forces on the world stage.
But perhaps more consequential are discussions being held by all five BRICS countries to expand the informal economic coalition.
At least 23 candidates are believed to have applied to join BRICS, including Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, the Palestinian National Authority, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam.
