"A godsend for the 21st century": Iran joins BRICS

Iran and Argentina applied to join BRICS — at the very moment when the G7 summit, which is now perceived as an anti-Russian alliance, gathered in the Bavarian castle of Elmau.

Here it is difficult to disagree with Senator Aleksey Pushkov, who speaks of the futility of Western efforts to isolate Russia. However, Iran's decision will not only significantly expand the main economic and political organisation of the non-Western world.

Speaking at the 14th BRICS summit in a virtual format, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that his country can become "a sustainable partner connecting the group with energy hubs and major markets around the world, given its unique geopolitical and geo-economic position”.

According to him, Iran "is ready to share all its capabilities and potential, including short and cheap transport and transit networks, an exceptional asset in the form of a trained workforce, as well as significant scientific achievements to help BRICS achieve their goals”.

In this sense, BRICS acts as an innovator that is able to launch new global trends, promoting its initiatives in a wide geography. Especially against the background of the fallen Europeans.

By the way, former editor-in-chief of Der Spiegel and publisher of Die Welt Stefan Aust believes that BRICS is stronger than the anti-Russian "Big Seven". According to him, founded in 1976, the G7 is a phenomenon of the past 20th century. But BRICS is a godsend for the 21st century.

Elena Panina, Director of the RUSSTRAT Institute