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Brics

Brics
Brics (an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) refers to an association of 10 leading emerging markets. The other member states are Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
A general view of flags of African Union member states inside the African Union Headquarters ahead of the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Africa

African Union: youth anger mounts over corruption, lack of accountability

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with more than 400 million people aged 15 to 35 years old – set to double by 2050.

China-India relations

China and India seek reset in talks, but old fault lines remain

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US-China relations

Trump’s ‘vacillating’ China policy causing confidence crisis in allies: report

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India

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and European Council President Antonio Costa at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 27. Photo: European Council/dpa
India

Opinion | Why the new US-India trade agreement is a big deal

The warming of New Delhi’s ties with Washington has implications for Russia, China and the global dynamics of trade and geopolitical power.

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Banking & finance

Opinion | Central banks are propelling a 21st century global gold rush

The world must choose between believing in the authority of central banks to decide the worth of fiat currencies or trusting in gold as a store of value.

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Indonesia

‘Resilience’ is Indonesia’s new foreign policy buzzword, but is it just rhetoric?

Analysts warn the vague concept lacks a long-term strategy and risks Jakarta drifting from its non-aligned values into transactional deals.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (left) meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets in 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. Photo: dpa
Mainland China

Did China, Russia, Iran joint naval drills in South Africa signal a Brics shift?

Observers describe high-profile exercise involving economic grouping as largely symbolic rather than step towards military alliance.

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Diplomacy

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

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SCO

Could the Iran crisis push Global South blocs to deepen security ties?

A lack of response from the SCO and Brics could have a negative impact on the groups – but the crisis could also bring them closer.

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US President Donald Trump has threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities begin executing anti-government protesters. Photo: AFP
China’s military drills

China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters

It is the first defence cooperation under the Brics framework, with the Russian and Iranian navies reportedly taking part.

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Next week’s joint exercise is seen as part of a wider trend of expanding Chinese military engagement. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025

President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

The age of ‘distributed multipolarity’ shows that superpowers alone can no longer dictate international affairs.

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Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua
South Africa

Trump administration warns South Africa not to issue G20 statement

US opposes South Africa’s G20 agenda, while Trump escalated tensions with false accusations of genocide against White Afrikaners and land grabs.

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A G20 summit sign is seen at Johannesburg Expo Centre on Monday. Photo: EPA
China-Latin America relations

Brazil’s Lula opens Cop30 demanding courage – and cash – to save the planet

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding urges nations to honour Paris pledges with fairness and justice, calling for global climate action.

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China-Latin America relations

Brazil pushes China for stronger climate commitments in run-up to Cop30

Brasilia is hoping that Beijing can fill the leadership void left after the US abandoned the Paris Agreement.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Diplomacy in the age of populism is fast, fickle and unbound by the rules of old

Swift, informal deals can quickly defuse crises, but without a new rules-based order, global stability is being held hostage to chance.

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US President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit in Alaska in August. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
Ukraine war

Opinion | Only a multipolar coalition can secure Ukraine peace

To move forward, negotiations must be conducted on the basis of security guarantees that reflect today’s geopolitical realities.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China is supporting multilateralism one institution at a time

With a new organisation to promote mediation, among other global bodies, China is signalling its enthusiasm to get more involved in world governance.

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Open Questions series

Open Questions | John Mearsheimer on Taiwan, US-China rivalry, Trump and Ukraine

International relations scholar weighs risks of great power conflict in East Asia, West’s blunder on Russia and what Donald Trump got right about China.

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Illustration: KaKuen Lau
Indonesia

From pledges to policy: Indonesia’s Prabowo marks 1 year in office

His energetic diplomacy is boosting Indonesia’s profile abroad, but concerns over civil liberties and the economy remain.

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto gestures at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Opinion | Given its rare earth vulnerability, US cannot risk all-out trade war

Washington must accept that it has missed its chance to contain China’s rise and focus on developing a US macro-region.

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Indonesia

Will Indonesia’s plan to join Brics bank lead to heavier debt burden?

With Indonesia having to pay to join the New Development Bank, it should tap foreign investors for project financing instead, analysts say.

India

Opinion | Why India is hedging its bets on another China charm offensive

As Washington pushes New Delhi closer to Beijing, both Asian powers must exercise strategic patience for an effective detente.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
New Zealand

Opinion | Why New Zealand joining Brics makes sense in Trump’s ‘America-first’ era

Brics is a maturing economic and diplomatic powerhouse. Joining could help New Zealand spread its diplomatic wings and secure its future.

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Brics leaders and other officials pose for a group photo during the latest summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7. Photo: Xinhua
North Korea

Opinion | Can North Korea’s Kim Jong-un forge a legacy that goes beyond the bomb?

Kim has ensured North Korea is no longer isolated. The question remains whether he can also overcome the country’s economic woes.

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Global monetary policy

Opinion | Brics is slowly but surely chipping away at US dollar dominance

US dollar supremacy isn’t going away any time soon. But through scaling up of initiatives and good governance, Brics can usher in a multipolar monetary order.

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