BRICS

China, Russia, Iran start 'BRICS Plus' naval exercises in South African waters

BRICS Plus is an expansion of a geopolitical bloc originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - and seen by members as a counterweight to the US.

|ByREUTERS
A Russian vessel arrives at the Simon's Town Naval base ahead of the BRICS Plus countries which include China, Russia and Iran for a joint naval exercises in South Africa's, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 9, 2026.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attend a documents signing ceremony in Moscow, Russia January 17, 2025.

Moscow and Tehran’s new partnership is bad news for the West - opinion

New Russia-Iran treaty deepens cooperation, challenging Israel's influence in the Middle East.

|ByNEVILLE TELLER
BRICS Move Forward 40% Gold-Backed 'Unit' Proposal

BRICS Move Forward 40% Gold-Backed 'Unit' Proposal

|ByVINCE LANCI
People wave Indian flags in support of the Indian Armed Forces, following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, in Delhi, India, May 13, 2025.

India’s influence in the Middle East: balancing energy, workers, and Saudi-Pakistan defense pact

Gulf Countries are home to nearly half of India’s immigrant population, which brings skills and growth to the Middle East economies.

|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE

How diplomacy replaced oil as the new 'prize' in the Middle East - analysis

The important comments by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince this week about potential normalization with Israel and also Iran’s nuclear program illustrate how Riyadh is positioning itself in the region.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
IRANIAN FOREIGN Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang during their meeting in Beijing, earlier this month.

Putin would not be arrested in 2024 Brazil G20 meeting, Lula says

The International Criminal court has issued arrest warrants against Putin for the war in Ukraine, but Lula has said Brazil will not carry out the arrest.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023ByREUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Denis Pushilin, Moscow-installed acting leader of the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Donetsk region, in Moscow, Russia August 24, 2023.

Voices from the Arab press: Has Israel arrived at its most precarious point?

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023ByTHE MEDIA LINE
BRICS SUMMIT: (From L) Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; China’s President Xi Jinping; South African President Cyril Ramaphosa; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose in Johannesburg, Aug. 23.

BRICS swings big with invitation of Middle East countries - analysis

The Middle East has become more important in recent years, not less important, and BRICS acknowledges this.

AUGUST 24, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa gesture during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023

Saudi Arabia appreciates BRICS' invitation, will take 'appropriate decision'

Agreement on expansion could also lend global clout to BRICS at a time when geopolitical polarization is spurring efforts by Beijing and Moscow to forge it into a viable counterweight to the West.

AUGUST 24, 2023ByREUTERS
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, August 23, 2023

Iran hopes Saudi Arabia is serious about new era in ties - analysis

Iran seeks outreach to the Gulf, China, and countries in Asia at the same time.

AUGUST 23, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
IRANIAN FOREIGN Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang during their meeting in Beijing, earlier this month.

Russian intel. director: America no longer dominates int'l field

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service director, Sergey Naryshkin stated that “no beast on Earth” will be able to dismantle the growing multipolar international structure.

AUGUST 23, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, attends a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 76th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2021.

BRICS summit begins in South Africa with Russia, China attending

Iran and other anti-western countries see BRICS as a way to balance the West.

AUGUST 22, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
People walk past the Sandton Convention Centre, which will host the upcoming BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa August 19, 2023.