This, I believe – the utilising, rather than joining/shunning of opposing factions – is an essential component and an area of choice for some, and perhaps for many, economically emerging nations to pursue in order to maintain their own independence and sovereignty in today’s turbulent world. Where no-one, neither the West not the East, nor any other direction, can maintain a position of being Top Dog, or the Pinnacle of Power in the world – on any level.
Some of the leading nations of past centuries have yet to accept that such power is no longer available to them, while others appear unsure of where their perhaps unexpected new and recent developments now place them in the pecking order – not willing to take that final step to the top rung of the ladder but existentially needing and working towards a state where that is not a unipolar but a multipolar position where no single dominant nation exists.
That requires there to be multiple nodes (rather than blocs – an outdated concept of the past) or, in other words, a multi-nodal system, where no single nation or group of nations (a bloc) can expect to operate to upset the balance of power by acting illegally in the world.
An absence of blocs (a term which has always carried the idea of military cooperation). That absence is a fine idea. But where do individual nations which want to achieve recognition in the world but in economic terms rather than military or security considerations? Well there are regional or continental organisations already, in every part of the world. Such as ASEAN, the SCO, in Asia; CELAC in Latin America; in Africa a number of such groups; and others. But in terms of economic security on a global basis, there is only one place for such nations to gather. And that is the already inappropriately named BRICS. The name must eventually change, as it grows, since the original members must not have had much vision as to where it may lead. And it is heading toward becoming a global phenomenon, dedicated solely to economic strength.
There are already a number of member states within the BRICS community that can be classified as Middle Powers, such as India and Indonesia. I want to make the point clear that when such states appear to play both sides of the bloc fence, this is not a sign of weakness in BRICS. It actually makes good sense for such nations to operate this way. And I think the BRICS major powers already see that as being true – they play that game themselves. And BRICS has never claimed to be anti-American or anti-EU. There is actually room inside BRICS for both the US and the EU countries to join that organisation – if they were to agree to stick to the rules. I believe that one day we may see that take place.
The ‘Think BRICS’ independent news group have just issued what I think is an important video which everyone should view. It is an interview with international relations expert Sellita, Lecturer at the International Relations Department, Bakrie University, Jakarta, Indonesia. [and such a beautiful young woman she is – I can’t help noticing these things] The video provides valuable insights as to why playing both sides is a necessary feature for such nations. This is totally valid, in my opinion, since BRICS can make (and this is one of its strengths) no restrictions on how member states conduct their trading programs. What is good for the top tier is good for all. That is something that may be difficult for even independent thinking westerners to grasp, due to our lifetime conditioning – but it is in fact quite normal and permissible. That is the freedom of BRICS.
I just want to make a point about this video. Think BRICS should think more carefully about the titles they give to such news. This was neither a ‘coup’, nor was there any outsmarting of anyone. Such errors are due to typical ‘west-think’. The activity is purely normal trading practice. And even though I have used the term ‘playing both sides’, it is not that either. It is in fact simply ‘not choosing sides’.
See! I’ve learned something too!
The Indonesia Coup: How They Outsmarted Both the US and Putin – Think BRICS – April 23, 2026
Not Something Else 
Leave a comment