Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged BRICS to take on a bigger peacemaking role in the Middle East, pushing the bloc beyond economics and deeper into global diplomacy.
Why Xi’s message matters
BRICS includes Iran as well as the UAE, giving the group direct links to countries with opposing interests in the current conflict. That creates both an opportunity and a major internal constraint.
What BRICS can offer
The bloc can provide a diplomatic platform where rival states meet without the same political baggage attached to Western institutions. Its expanded membership also gives it access to leaders across the Global South.
What BRICS cannot easily do
BRICS has no military alliance, no enforcement mechanism and no unified foreign policy. Any mediation effort depends on members voluntarily coordinating their positions.
Why China wants a bigger role
For Beijing, a more diplomatic BRICS strengthens the argument that global governance should not be dominated by Western institutions. It also gives China another platform to present itself as a mediator in major conflicts.
Bottom line
BRICS can create diplomatic space, but peacemaking requires more than statements. The real test will be whether the bloc can convert access and symbolism into negotiations that change events on the ground.
Source: Reuters
