by Pepe Escobar
The war on Syria has vanished from the collective West ethos. Yet it’s far from finished. Multitudes across the Global Majority may feel the deepest empathy towards Syrians while acknowledging not much can be done while the Western Minority refuses to leave the stage.
In parallel, there are slim chances the New Development Bank (NDB) – the BRICS bank – will start showering Damascus with loans for Syria's reconstruction. At least not yet, despite all the pledges by Russians and Chinese to help.
Under the lame excuse of “degrading the position for ISIS,” the US State Department de facto admits that the Empire’s illegal occupation of a third of Syria - the part rich in oil and minerals currently being stolen/smuggled – will persist, indefinitely.
Cue to virtually non-stop oil looting in northeastern Hasakah province, as in processions of dozens of oil tankers crossing to northern Iraq via the al-Waleed or al-Mahmoudiya border crossing, usually escorted by US-backed Kurdish separatist militias.
As if any reminding was needed, the Global Majority is fully aware ISIS is essentially an American black op, a spin-off of al-Qaeda in Iraq, born in camps at the Iraq-Kuwaiti border. The Syrian “Democratic” Forces (SDF) is hardly a democratic US proxy, predictably assembled as a “coalition” of ethnic militias, mostly run by Kurds but also incorporating a few Arab tribesmen, Turkmen, and Salafi-jihadi Chechens.
As if the non-stop looting of oil was not enough, the Pentagon keeps dispatching truckloads of ammo and logistical equipment to Hasakah.
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BRICS+
Pourquoi s'y intéresser?
Ce sont des changements qui se passent aujourd'hui, avec des conséquences potentielles pour nous et nos enfants.
Utilisons plusieurs sources différentes pour rechercher la matière à fond.
Les BRICS+ sont un groupe de neuf pays qui se réunissent en sommets annuels : Brésil, Russie, Inde, Chine, Afrique du Sud, Égypte, Émirats arabes unis, Éthiopie et Iran. ...(Wikipedia)
BRICS: Ils "veulent renverser" l'occident ... (vidéo)
BRICS+: visions et défis (opportunities and challenges)
"regelbasierte Weltordnung" (ordre global fondé sur des règles); ... voici un article critique
Unipolarité - multipolarité
Pays du Sud
Le Groupe des sept - G7
Les G20
Aide au développement (Wikip.)
...
Les motifs de l'aide au développement, notamment dans le cas de l'APD, sont souvent politiques. Ils peuvent être philosophiques, humanistes ou religieux. La forme que prend l'aide au développement révèle aussi la vision du développement que se fait celui qui aide.
...
Aux États-Unis, l'USAID est l'agence chargée de l'aide au développement. Cette agence est controversée en raison de sa participation à des actions de déstabilisation contre des gouvernements en mésentente avec le gouvernement américain.
...
Plan Marshall et al, en français Wiki
L'Hégémonie occidentale
Droit international / Droit de l'homme
DDFC
OTAN
ONU
UE
FMI
BM
NBD Nouvelle Banque de Développement
New Development Bank BRICS, BRICS NDB
La Banque est configurée pour favoriser une plus grande coopération financière et de développement entre les pays émergents. Elle a son siège à Shanghai en Chine.
BCE
Conseil européen
Parlement européen
OMC (WHO, WTO) Organisation mondiale de commerce
OMS (-, WHO) Organisation mondiale de la santé
la Russie
CEI La Communauté des États indépendants
la Chine
l'Inde f
le Brésil
l'Afrique du Sud f
l'Éthiopie f
l'Arabie Saoudite f
les Émirats arabes unis m
... Südwind setzt sich für die Verringerung der Kluft zwischen Nord und Süd ein ...
Nouvelle-Calédonie
Archipel des Chagos, étude de "médiation culturelle"
L'instabilité dans le monde
L'économétrie
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Could western Dominance end because of BRICS
The talks of de-dollarization has dominated majority part of 2023. In March this year (2023), deputy chairman of State Duma of Russia said that his country was in the process of spearheading the creation of a new currency that would be used for cross-border trading by members of BRICS. These are Russia, Brazil, India, South Africa and China – in no particular order. This and many other developments being witnessed across BRICS members, complicate the idea that the reign of the dollar will continue being stable in the decades to come.
Although there still practical doubts about its viability, many experts believe that BRICS-issued currency would represent a formation of new union comprising budding discontents who collectively outweigh the entire G-7 put together on the scale of GDP.
What is the evolution of BRICS?
The BRICS group, as mentioned above, is an acronym that represents five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS nations are known for their growing economic influence, large populations, and significant natural resources. The evolution of BRICS can be understood in several phases:
Formation and Early Years (2001-2006)
The term "BRIC" is believed to have been first invented by economist Jim O'Neill in 2001 to describe the embryonic economic dynamos of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
The concept gained traction as these countries exhibited strong economic growth, increased trade, and growing global influence.
First BRIC Summit (2009)
In 2009, the first BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This marked the official beginning of the formal grouping.
The leaders of the four countries discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination on various global issues.
Inclusion of South Africa (2010)
In 2010, South Africa was invited to join the BRIC group, expanding it to BRICS.
South Africa's inclusion was somewhat surprising, given its smaller economy compared to the original four members. However, it was seen as representing the African continent's interests and potential.
Summits and Institutionalization (2011-2014)
Annual BRICS summits were held, allowing leaders to discuss economic, political, and global issues.
The group sought to create institutions that could counterbalance the influence of Western-dominated institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) and the New Development Bank (NDB) were established by the BRICS leaders in 2014 in order to stabilize member nations' currencies amid financial crises and finance infrastructure projects.
Economic Challenges (2015-2022)
BRICS faced economic challenges during this period. China's growth began to slow down, Russia faced economic sanctions due to its actions in Ukraine, and Brazil and South Africa experienced political and economic turbulence.
Despite these challenges, the BRICS leaders continued to emphasize the potential of the group to reshape the global economic landscape.
Geopolitical Alignment and Cooperation (2023-Present)
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of cooperation among nations. BRICS members collaborated on sharing information, medical supplies, and strategies to combat the pandemic.
The group has continued discussions on economic recovery, climate change, technology, and other global challenges.
BRICS nations have also been exploring ways to enhance trade and investment among themselves, reducing dependence on traditional Western markets.
The evolution of BRICS has been marked by its members' attempts to leverage their combined economic strength to exert more influence on the global stage.
While each member has its unique challenges and priorities, the group's cooperation reflects the changing dynamics of the global economy and the desire of these emerging economies to play a more significant role in shaping international policies and institutions.
What are the key agendas of the BRICS summit 2023?
One of the key issues in the mind and mouth of keen observers is the recruitment of new members to the BRICs. The current group could represent more than 40% of the entire global population and over 30% of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. As a result, a lot of sovereign states are enthusiastic about establishing themselves for a dollar-free future.
But existing members need to first iron out some of the differences they have with each other and forge a framework and criteria for welcoming new members. One aim of this group is the quest to use cooperation to reshape both global economic and political architecture for their benefit, and this is expected to take a center-stage during the forthcoming summit.
Another speculated agenda of the BRICS summit 2023 is launch of a common currency backed by gold. Talk of creating a new BRICS coin backed by precious metal to reduce the dominance of the US dollar has been gaining momentum in recent months as leaders from the block’s nations gear up for the August’s summit in South Africa. With Washington freezing roughly $300 billion of foreign currency reserves belonging to Russia, it is no secret that BRICS nation will be looking to swiftly diversify from the US dollar.
The last day of the 2-day summit is expected to center around talks with leaders from nations deemed as “friends of BRICS”. The bloc extended invitation to over 60 leaders across Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, and Africa. Particularly, the talk will focus on enhancing BRICS relationship with African nations.
What challenges do the group face?
The BRICS) faces several challenges that can impact their individual economies and collective efforts. These challenges arise from diverse economic, political, social, and geopolitical factors. Some of the key challenges include:
Divergent Economic Development
While all BRICS countries are classified as emerging economies, they have varying levels of development and economic structures. China has become the economic powerhouse of the group, while others like Brazil and South Africa face challenges related to income inequality, unemployment, and poverty.
Economic Slowdown and Structural Reforms
Many BRICS nations have experienced periods of economic slowdown. China's economic growth has moderated, leading to concerns about its potential impact on global growth. To maintain growth rates and adjust to shifting global economic conditions, structural reforms are required.
Political and Governance Challenges
Some BRICS countries face internal political challenges that can affect stability and policy continuity. Issues such as corruption, political polarization, and governance inefficiencies can hinder long-term development.
Geopolitical Tensions
Geopolitical tensions and rivalries among BRICS members can complicate their cooperation. For instance, border disputes between China and India, as well as global issues like Russia's actions in Ukraine, can strain relations and impact collaborative efforts.
Trade Imbalances
Trade imbalances exist within the BRICS group, with some members running large trade surpluses and others facing deficits. This can lead to economic vulnerabilities and potential disagreements over trade policies.
Infrastructure and Development Gaps
While BRICS members have made progress in infrastructure development, there are still significant gaps, especially in regions with lower economic development. These gaps can hinder regional integration and connectivity.
Social and Environmental Challenges
Social inequality, poverty, and environmental issues are prevalent in some BRICS countries. Balancing economic growth with sustainable development and social welfare remains a challenge.
Global Economic Uncertainty
The global economic environment, including factors like changes in interest rates, commodity prices, and global supply chain disruptions, can impact the economies of BRICS countries.
Technology and Innovation Gap
While countries like China and India are becoming tech powerhouses, others may struggle to keep up with rapid technological advancements. Bridging the technology gap and fostering innovation are important for staying competitive.
Coordination and Collective Decision-Making
With diverse interests and priorities, coordinating policies and making collective decisions can be complex. Finding common ground among members with different political systems and economic models can be challenging.
Despite these challenges, the BRICS group has demonstrated a commitment to cooperation and addressing shared concerns. But they will need to overcome these and many other challenges if they are to dethrone the West in terms of global political and economic influence.
Should the West worry about the BRICS summit?
Recent events – Russia invasion of Ukraine, China’s success in brokering a diplomatic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Moscow – have fueled renew murmurs about threats to the United States’ global primacy and mainly to the dollar.
But perceived threats to the US dollar’s role in the international financial system is nothing new. There have been constant instances since the 1980s but nothing yielded a significant effort. But what makes BRICS currency different is the possibility that China may dispose the United States as the largest economy in the world in the near future. As a result, the dollar status will be questioned, the same as how sterling pound was called into question in the early twentieth century after the United Kingdom ceased to be the largest economy in the world.
In conclusion
The prospect of Western dominance ending at the BRICS Summit embodies a complex and multifaceted shift in global dynamics. As the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—continue to assert their economic prowess, geopolitical influence, and collaborative potential, the traditional power dynamics may undergo transformation. While concerns about economic competition, alternative institutions, and strategic rivalries exist, it is essential to approach these shifts with a balanced perspective.
Read more about the impact of BRICS on global economy on our blog Premium Gold IRA Investing
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By • Olalekan Fagbade
"Tinubu deserves commendations for shunning BRICS"
The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, (VON) Osita Okechukwu on Sunday gave kudos to President Bola Tinubu for rejecting the country from joining the BRICS economic group.
The founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said the president deserves the commendation of all Nigerians for not applying to join the emergent grouping.
At the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, the bloc admitted Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE among other intending developing countries into its folds, thus fuelling speculations that Nigeria’s application was rejected for not meeting some crucial membership criteria.
But, in a statement made available to newsmen on, Sunday in Abuja, Okechukwu, declared that Nigeria is better off maintaining her decades-old diplomatic standpoint as a non-aligned.
He noted that he was thrilled when the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, recently cleared the air and said, “So far, we have not applied for the membership of BRICS. And it is majorly informed by the fact that my principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a true democrat that believes in consensus building.”
The APC Chieftain argued that Nigeria is better maintaining her age-long diplomatic policy and standpoint.
He added: “Whereas one has nothing against Brazil, Russia, India, China nor our brothers South Africa that make up the BRICS; however Nigeria stands to benefit hugely if we maintain our age-old standpoint of multilateral diplomacy.”
He pointed out the worldview origin of BRICS, saying, “records have it that to spur economic development outside the Breton wood system, the BRICS, a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and later South Africa, was formed. Ironically, the acronym was coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs and 2006, the bank opened an equity fund for investors in the BRICS. The group had since established New Development Bank (NDB).”
On the proposal that Nigeria’s membership of BRICS has economic growth as the main goal, Okechukwu argued that whilst economic growth is important, it should not be at the expense of Nigeria’s cherished freedom and rule of law, which the leadership of the bloc abhors.
“Whilst one agrees that BRICS may engender economic growth; however neither the West nor Russia or China is Father Xmas, therefore our destiny is in our hands. And most importantly we cannot gloss over our cherished freedom and rule of law which maybe in jeopardy in the BRICS alliance.
Otherwise, at the last count, the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral lending institution set up in 2014, based in Shanghai, had $25bn in recorded assets in 2022, less than a tenth of the World Bank’s total,and not much economic growth was stimulated, Okechukwu explained.
Accordingly, he appealed to President Tinubu to maintain Nigeria’s multilateral diplomatic strategy; which allows Nigeria today and in the future to operate and relate freely with all blocs and ultimately guide jealousy our national interest.
#BRICS #Tinubu
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