When BRICS Steps Onto Center Stage: Shifting Power, Fading Relevance, and the Balancing Act of the Global Order.

BRICS has evolved from a peripheral economic bloc into a powerful force reshaping the global balance of power. Fueled by expansion, de-dollarization, and shifting alliances, BRICS challenges the West’s dominance in trade, diplomacy, and military thinking. As the U.S. scrambles to respond with erratic policies, the world watches a new multipolar order take shape—one built not on Western rules, but on strategic alternatives.

This blog unpacks the latest evolution in the global order as BRICS charges into the limelight. Through the lens of the 2025 BRICS summit, U.S. turbulence under Trump, and high-stakes events like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we’ll explore how power is shifting, what this all means for Western institutions, and where opportunity—or chaos—lies ahead.

Picture this: It’s 2022 and BRICS is the wallflower at the global dance, barely on anyone’s radar while the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organization hog the spotlight. Fast forward just a few years and suddenly, the BRICS summit is the talk of the town, drawing headlines and sparking debates from Brazil to Beijing. Having once dismissed BRICS as a peripheral coalition, naysayers are now scrambling to decipher its rapid expansion and what that spells for a West-grown reliant on rules it no longer gets to write. Something big has changed—and it’s not just about trade balances. Let’s dig into why the global order feels like it’s playing musical chairs, and who’s been left standing when the music stops.

From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: BRICS Expansion Redrawing the Map

It wasn’t that long ago that BRICS was seen as an afterthought—a club of emerging economies with more ambition than influence. But everything changed on February 4, 2022, when Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping released a 5,000-word joint statement that openly challenged the Western “rules-based international order.” That moment, research shows, marked a turning point. Suddenly, BRICS was no longer just a footnote in global affairs. It was stepping onto center stage, ready to redraw the map of power.

The BRICS expansion since then has been nothing short of dramatic. The 2023 BRICS summit in South Africa kicked off a wave of new members and partnerships, with countries like Indonesia joining the fold and others lining up for entry. The pace of BRICS membership expansion has often outstripped the group’s own infrastructure, with ministerial meetings and new mechanisms rolling out faster than anyone expected. By the time the Kazan summit arrived, BRICS had matured into a serious contender, introducing new membership categories and institutionalizing its collaboration in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years earlier.

As Scott Ritter put it,

“This is not your grandfather’s BRICS—it’s now at the forefront of shaping the global order.”

The group’s evolution isn’t just about economics anymore. The BRICS expansion is now touching on political, security, and even cultural realms, reflecting a broader vision—especially from China—of a multipolar world order. Studies indicate that instability and Western missteps have only fueled this momentum, pushing more countries to look for alternatives to U.S.-dominated institutions.

But with rapid growth comes growing pains. The 2025 BRICS summit in Brazil is shaping up to be a test of the group’s unity and direction. President Lula da Silva faces intense pressure from both the United States and Brazil’s own pro-Western elites, who are wary of BRICS’s rising influence. There’s a heated debate within the bloc: Should BRICS keep expanding, or is it time to pause and consolidate its newfound strength? Some argue that after two rounds of expansion and a flurry of institution-building, the group needs to solidify its foundation before taking on more members. Others see relentless growth as the only way to keep up the momentum and truly challenge the old order.

What’s clear is that the geopolitical shifts of 2025 are being shaped, in large part, by BRICS’s bold moves. The group is building alternatives to Western financial systems, like the IMF and SWIFT, and encouraging trade in national currencies to sidestep the dollar’s dominance. While these efforts aren’t yet ready to rival established Western infrastructure, they signal a real shift in how global power is distributed. As new members come aboard and partnerships deepen, BRICS is no longer just reacting to the world—it’s actively shaping it.

U.S. Reactions and the Art of Losing Relevance: From Threats to Shrugs

When it comes to the US response to BRICS, the past few years have felt like watching a once-dominant player struggle to adapt to a new game. Under Donald Trump, American tactics became unpredictable—sometimes even theatrical. Take the now-infamous tariff letter, for example. Trump threatened a sweeping 10% tariff on all BRICS countries, a move that rattled headlines but, in the end, was delayed and then delayed again. As of now, those tariffs have been postponed until August 1, and many expect further reversals or walk-backs. This pattern of threats followed by hesitation has become almost routine, and it’s doing real damage to U.S. credibility.

As Scott Ritter puts it,

“The United States is like a tired champion, throwing wild punches that hit nothing but air.”

It’s a vivid image—and one that fits. American businesses and international partners are watching these wild swings and starting to hedge their bets. Instead of seeing the U.S. as a reliable anchor, they see risk and instability. This isn’t just about tariffs, either. The broader U.S. approach—weaponizing the dollar, shifting sanctions, and lurching from one policy to the next—has made it harder for allies to trust Washington’s word.

Meanwhile, BRICS trade is quietly rewriting the rules. Research shows that about 90% of trade between BRICS members now happens in their own national currencies, not the U.S. dollar. This is a huge shift. For decades, US dollar dominance was practically a given. But now, the rise of BRICS alternatives to the IMF and SWIFT—like the BRICS development bank—signals a real push to move beyond the dollar’s reach. Sergey Lavrov and other BRICS leaders are openly talking about building a financial system that doesn’t depend on Western institutions. While these alternatives aren’t quite ready to rival the IMF or SWIFT just yet, the direction is clear: the world is looking for options.

The impact of these changes is already being felt. American companies, for example, are starting to diversify their international strategies. They see that U.S. unpredictability—especially around sanctions and tariffs—makes it risky to rely solely on Washington’s policies. International partners, too, are exploring new alliances and hedging their bets. Studies indicate that this isn’t just a blip; it’s a trend that’s accelerating as BRICS expands and institutionalizes its own mechanisms.

What’s striking is how the U.S. seems to be advertising its own decline. Ritter likens the current approach to “advertising lemons while rivals act like Porsches.” Instead of quietly improving the IMF or making the dollar more attractive, Washington’s loud threats and policy swings only highlight its fading relevance. The more the U.S. tries to strong-arm others, the more it pushes them away—straight into the arms of BRICS and other emerging blocs.

In the end, the story of US tariffs on BRICS and the broader U.S. response is less about strength and more about uncertainty. As BRICS accelerates de-dollarization and builds its own institutions, the world is watching—and adjusting. The old rules aren’t working anymore, and the U.S. is learning, sometimes painfully, that relevance can’t be maintained by threats alone.

Conflict, Technology, and the New Rules: Why Drones (and Real Soldiers) Still Win Battles

As BRICS steps confidently onto the center stage of a shifting global order, the Russia Ukraine conflict has become a real-time test of modern military strategy. The headlines might be dominated by talk of drones and high-tech warfare, but the reality on the ground is far messier—and far more human. Despite rapid advances in drone technology, research shows that the outcome of battles still depends on who has boots on the ground. Russia, in particular, has used this to its advantage, exposing just how ineffective some Western military assumptions have become.

The West’s faith in a “tech-only” approach to warfare is being put to the test in Ukraine. British defense planners, for example, have floated the idea of a future force made up of 80% drones and only 20% infantry. But this vision is widely criticized as fantasy. As Scott Ritter puts it,

“A tech fix won’t win a war—history’s still written by those who march, not just those who fly drones.”

The battlefield tells the same story: drones might spot targets and even strike, but it’s the infantry who actually hold the ground. Russia’s military strategy in Ukraine has been to combine artillery, drones, and infantry in a relentless, patient campaign. Ukrainian units, once battalions, have been whittled down to squads of just 5–15 men, a stark sign of battlefield attrition.

This isn’t just about numbers. Russian tactics have evolved to target not only Ukrainian positions but also the very infrastructure that makes drone warfare possible. By focusing on relay stations and counter-drone operations, Russia has inflicted high casualties on Ukrainian drone operators and forced the defenders into ever smaller, more isolated groups. The result? Ukrainian forces are stretched thin, and their ability to hold territory is constantly under threat.

Meanwhile, Western strategies—often reactive and fragmented—are struggling to keep up. Announcements of new weapons shipments, like the promise of additional Patriot missile systems, might grab headlines, but they don’t change the facts on the ground. Russia’s approach is methodical and patient, reflecting a willingness to endure a long conflict if necessary. This stands in sharp contrast to the West’s tendency toward quick fixes and shifting priorities.

The skepticism isn’t limited to military analysts. Even financial giants like BlackRock are reportedly doubting Ukraine’s long-term prospects. With reconstruction funding in limbo, there’s a growing sense that Ukraine’s independence could be at risk if the war drags on. This financial uncertainty mirrors the broader geopolitical shifts at play. As BRICS expands and the multipolar global order takes shape, the old rules—where Western technology and economic might guaranteed dominance—are fading fast.

In the end, the Russia Ukraine conflict is redefining what military power looks like in a world of rapid technological change and shifting alliances. The lesson? No matter how advanced the tech, it’s still the soldiers on the ground who decide the outcome. And as the multipolar global order emerges, the West’s old playbook is looking more outdated by the day.

When Competition Gets Real: Why BRICS versus the West is About Power, Not Just Politics

Imagine you’re watching a championship game. The U.S.—the reigning champion—starts to look rattled, arguing with referees and blaming the rules, while a new team, BRICS, quietly keeps scoring. That’s the global stage right now. The West, once confident in its dominance, is now facing a rising challenger that isn’t just playing the same old game—it’s rewriting the rules.

BRICS economic cooperation has moved far beyond its early days as a loose coalition. With China and Russia leading the charge, the group is now offering a real alternative to the Western-led global order. This isn’t just about economics anymore. It’s about strategic priorities, political influence, and even cultural alignment. The China Russia alliance, in particular, has become the backbone of this new multipolar global order, projecting stability and purpose while the West appears increasingly chaotic.

Scott Ritter’s analysis puts it bluntly: “The West seems hell-bent on proving that chaos, not order, rules their house.” The U.S. response to BRICS’s rise has often been erratic—think threats of tariffs, unpredictable policy shifts, and a reliance on old levers of power like the dollar and sanctions. But as research shows, these tools are losing their edge. The U.S. national debt has ballooned to $36 trillion, with projections as high as $45 trillion if current trends continue. That kind of financial instability only makes the BRICS economic influence more attractive to countries looking for steady partners.

Here’s where the analogy of the Porsche comes in. The U.S. could be the Porsche of global finance—reliable, desirable, and so good it doesn’t need to advertise. But instead, it’s acting like a nervous competitor, trying to block others rather than simply being the best. Ritter compares this to Tiger Woods at his peak: a true champion welcomes competition and proves their worth on the field, not by changing the rules or lashing out.

Meanwhile, BRICS is quietly building its own institutions, like the BRICS development bank, and promoting trade in national currencies. While these alternatives aren’t yet as robust as the IMF or SWIFT, their very existence signals a shift. The group’s expansion—now including new members and partnership categories—shows that BRICS strategic priorities are about more than just economic growth. They’re about creating a credible, stable alternative to the West’s unpredictable leadership.

The China Russia alliance is especially significant. Their partnership underpins a non-Western model for global order, one that many countries find increasingly appealing as Western policies grow more erratic. The multipolar global order is no longer a distant vision; it’s taking shape right now, with BRICS at the center.

In the end, the competition between BRICS and the West isn’t just about politics or economics—it’s about who can offer real stability and leadership in a changing world. If the U.S. continues to focus on coercion and chaos, it risks fading into irrelevance. But if it can rediscover the confidence of a true champion, welcoming competition and leading by example, there’s still a chance to shape the future. For now, though, BRICS is racking up points—and the world is watching.

TL;DR: BRICS has outgrown its old shoes, moving from the sidelines to the main stage of global power. This seismic shift—accelerated by crises, U.S. unpredictability, and bold expansion—means fresh challenges and new alliances, both for the West and the emerging multipolar world.

BRICSExpansion, GlobalOrder, BRICSSummit2025, BRICSMembershipExpansion, GeopoliticalShifts2025, BRICSAlternativesIMF, USResponseBRICS, RussiaUkraineConflict, BRICSDevelopmentBank, MultipolarGlobalOrder,BRICSexpansion, U.S.declineglobalinfluence, de-dollarizationstrategy, China-Russiaalliance, multipolarworldorder

#BRICS, #GlobalOrder, #USDecline, #DeDollarization, #ChinaRussia, #Geopolitics, #WorldEconomy, #TariffPolicy, #InternationalRelations, #MultipolarWorld,#BRICSexpansion, #GlobalOrder, #Geopolitics, #USForeignPolicy, #MultipolarWorld, #RussiaUkraine, #FinanceRevolution, #BRICSSummit, #BRICSMembership, #DeDollarization