BRICS bloc expands to include 5 new Global South members

• BRICS is expanding to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran in 2024, consolidating its status as representing the Global South

• The expansion brings together democracies and autocracies that want less Western dominance in global affairs

• Russia benefits from its BRICS leadership role in 2024 to counter Western isolation and bypass sanctions

• New members may use alternatives to the dollar for trade and boost funding for the BRICS Development Bank

• The West should view BRICS pragmatically as a potential cooperation partner rather than an opposition bloc