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As the world faces increasing economic turbulence, geopolitical tensions, and a growing multipolarity, one of the most significant developments reshaping the global landscape is the rapid expansion and growing influence of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Once seen as a loose grouping of emerging markets, BRICS is fast becoming a cornerstone of global realignment, challenging the long-standing dominance of Western powers and institutions. In its wake, countries are beginning to question the utility of sanctions, the centrality of the U.S. dollar, and the influence of Western financial systems. This shift is more than just a momentary response to current crises; it’s the beginning of a new world order, and BRICS is at the forefront.

BRICS Expansion: A New Global Power Bloc

What started as a gathering of five emerging economies is rapidly growing into a much larger global bloc. With countries such as Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Iran, and others expressing interest in joining, the influence of BRICS is expanding far beyond its original mandate.

BRICS members represent a significant portion of the world’s population, GDP, and, crucially, control over vast natural resources. Nations like Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa are major producers of commodities such as oil, natural gas, critical minerals, and agricultural products. Together, these countries are carving out a powerful space in the global economy, not only through trade but also by aligning their interests in ways that challenge Western-led economic and political institutions.

Commodity Power: The Key to Future Dominance

One of the most powerful aspects of the BRICS coalition is its control over global commodities. Russia’s dominance in oil and gas, Brazil’s massive agriculture sector, and South Africa’s mineral wealth place BRICS nations at the center of critical supply chains that the global economy depends on.

Take, for instance, Russia’s oil exports. Despite heavy sanctions from the West in response to the Ukraine war, Russia continues to sell oil at discounted rates to countries like India and China—nations that are members of BRICS and have no interest in severing ties with Moscow. The fact that these countries continue to buy Russian energy shows the limits of Western sanctions when BRICS countries are willing to create alternative trade routes and financial systems to bypass restrictions.

This control over commodities allows BRICS members to wield significant power in the global market, influencing prices and creating alternative supply chains that are less dependent on Western markets. As more countries—especially energy-rich nations like Saudi Arabia and Iran—join the BRICS fold, the group’s ability to shape global trade will only increase.

Bypassing Sanctions: The New Financial Systems of BRICS

Perhaps the most revolutionary development within BRICS is its focus on creating alternative financial systems to bypass Western sanctions. The U.S. dollar and SWIFT payment system have long been the backbone of international finance, giving the West, particularly the United States, enormous power to impose sanctions that can cripple economies. However, BRICS members are actively working to undermine this system.

One of the most significant steps in this direction has been the increased use of local currency swaps. Countries like China and Russia have agreed to trade in yuan and rubles, reducing their dependence on the U.S. dollar. This practice is expanding within BRICS, where bilateral currency swaps allow countries to trade without converting into dollars. The long-term goal is to de-dollarize the global economy, reducing the dominance of the U.S. financial system.

Moreover, BRICS nations are developing alternative payment systems to bypass SWIFT. Russia’s SPFS (System for Transfer of Financial Messages) and China’s CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) are designed to provide BRICS countries with the infrastructure needed to conduct international transactions without going through Western financial institutions. There’s also ongoing discussion about creating a BRICS-wide payment system that would further reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar and SWIFT.

These developments aren’t just about avoiding sanctions on Russia or Iran—they represent a broader effort to build a new financial architecture where BRICS nations are less vulnerable to Western financial pressure. In doing so, they are creating a world where sanctions have less of a bite, and economic independence from the West becomes a reality for more countries.

Sanctions in a Multipolar World: Losing Their Power?

One of the most significant consequences of BRICS’ rise is the diminishing effectiveness of Western sanctions. In the past, sanctions were a powerful tool, allowing the U.S. and its allies to apply immense economic pressure on countries that didn’t align with their policies. But as BRICS strengthens and creates its own financial systems, the ability of Western countries to enforce sanctions will continue to weaken.

Russia’s experience is the most notable example. Despite facing some of the heaviest sanctions in history following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has largely managed to avoid the worst economic consequences by redirecting trade to BRICS countries and engaging in currency swaps that bypass the dollar. China and India, two major BRICS members, have been more than willing to purchase Russian oil and gas, helping to stabilize Russia’s economy even as it faces isolation from Western markets.

What’s becoming clear is that the sanctioning power of the West—particularly the U.S.—will not be as effective in a multipolar world where alternative trade and financial networks exist. As BRICS expands and more countries align themselves with its economic model, the West will find it increasingly difficult to use sanctions as a diplomatic or military tool. This represents a profound shift in global power dynamics.

India’s Unique Position: Walking Between Worlds

India, one of BRICS’ key members, presents an interesting case in this new global landscape. India’s participation in both BRICS and QUAD (with the U.S., Japan, and Australia) shows how countries are no longer aligning strictly with one bloc or another but are instead strategically hedging their bets to maximize national interest.

Despite its strong ties with the West, particularly in terms of defense cooperation through QUAD, India continues to buy Russian oil at high volumes, even as the Ukraine war rages on. India has chosen to maintain its longstanding relationship with Russia, especially given its dependence on Russian military equipment and energy. This pragmatic stance shows that sanctions don’t work uniformly—countries like India will pursue policies that suit their economic and geopolitical needs, regardless of Western pressure.

Turkey and Hungary: Signs of a Broader Realignment?

The cracks in Western unity are not limited to BRICS members alone. Turkey’s eagerness to join BRICS and Hungary’s reluctance to support the Ukraine war fully highlight broader shifts in geopolitical alignments. Countries that are formally allied with the West are also seeking alternative partnerships and economic opportunities in non-Western blocs.

Turkey, under President Erdoğan, has made clear its intention to join BRICS and diversify its international relationships. Despite being a member of NATO, Turkey has strengthened ties with Russia and China in recent years, particularly in areas like energy cooperation and military technology. By aligning with BRICS, Turkey hopes to increase its strategic autonomy and diversify its economic partners.

Similarly, Hungary has shown reluctance to follow the EU’s hardline stance on Russia. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has emphasized the importance of maintaining economic ties with Russia, particularly for energy security. This shows that, even within the Western bloc, there are countries questioning the long-term efficacy of sanctions and exploring alternative alliances.

The Long-Term Impact: A Post-Sanctions World?

The rise of BRICS and the emergence of alternative financial systems are fundamentally changing how the global economy operates. If BRICS continues to expand, adding key resource-rich nations like Saudi Arabia and Iran, it will have the ability to create a parallel economic system that can operate independently of the West.

In this post-sanctions world, countries will no longer need to fear being cut off from the global financial system because they will have access to alternative networks and payment systems. This represents a major blow to the U.S. and its allies, who have long relied on financial sanctions as a tool of global influence.

At the same time, commodity-rich nations within BRICS will be able to leverage their control over resources to further insulate themselves from Western pressure. The global economy will increasingly be shaped by multipolar trade relationships, where countries can ignore sanctions, trade in their own currencies, and pursue their geopolitical interests without fear of economic retaliation from the West.

Conclusion: A New Era of Global Power

The rapid rise of BRICS and the increasing willingness of its members to bypass Western financial systems marks the dawn of a new era in global power dynamics. As countries within BRICS and its broader network develop alternative financial systems, control key commodities, and engage in currency swaps, the sanctioning power of the West will continue to diminish.

In this new multipolar world, countries will be able to pursue independent foreign policies, trade freely, and challenge Western influence in ways that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Sanctions, once the most powerful tool in the West’s diplomatic arsenal, will be increasingly ineffective against a unified BRICS bloc with the resources, financial networks, and global alliances to laugh off Western pressure. This new

reality will redefine geopolitics for decades to come, marking the end of the unipolar world and the rise of a truly multipolar global order.