Episode 88: A New World Disorder? From the BRICS to the G20


The world order is being challenged by new organisations and initiatives designed to sideline existing Western-led institutions.

The latest summit of the group of states known collectively as the BRICS is a case in point. Originally involving Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later, the group has now expanded to bring in new members, including Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, with a long waiting list of other potential members building up. Often seen as a ‘talking shop’, the BRICS has been given a new strategic purpose by Russia and China as a mechanism to challenge US-led alliances and global institutions.

But the BRICS is not the only international format to emerge in recent years. And Brazil, together with India, has been uncomfortable with China and Russia’s efforts to turn the BRICS into an anti-Western bloc. In this episode, host Neil Melvin is joined by Dr Philip Shetler-Jones, Dr Burcu Ozcelik and Callum Fraser from the International Security team at RUSI to discuss what sort of organisation the BRICS is becoming as efforts are made to consolidate its activities and expand its membership. Can a new international order emerge from the current ferment?


FEATURING

Dr Neil Melvin

Director, International Security

International Security

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Dr Philip Shetler-Jones

Senior Research Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security

International Security

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Dr Burcu Ozcelik

Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Security

International Security

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Callum Fraser

Research Fellow, Russian and Eurasian Security

International Security

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