The world is changing quickly. A group of countries that once stayed on the sidelines of global power is now at the center of this change: BRICS. Originally, it included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The group has grown into a major political and economic alliance. BRICS in 2025 will be more than just a forum; it will serve as a counterbalance to the West.
So what does this mean for the United States, NATO, and the current global order?
Why Are BRICS In 2025 Important Now? What Are They?
BRICS used to be more of a concept than a solid organization. Now, however, things have changed. BRICS is starting to pose a serious threat to the Western-led international order due to its growing membership, efforts to create an alternative global currency, and improved trade, security, and technology cooperation.
The bloc’s 2024 and 2025 additions of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates show that even American allies are seeking to build new partnerships outside of traditional Western frameworks.
The U.S.–China Rivalry: At the Heart of the Shift
Much of BRICS’ new momentum can be traced back to the ongoing rivalry between the U.S and China. As tensions rise over Taiwan, trade, and technology dominance, many countries are looking to spread their risks. BRICS provides a different option.
China is using BRICS to advance the yuan in international trade and lessen dependence on the U.S. dollar, and expand its Belt and Road Initiative across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Russia, Sanctions, and Strategic Realignment
Russia’s increasing isolation from the West especially after the invasion of Ukraine has pushed it further into BRICS. Moscow sees the bloc as a lifeline to bypass Western sanctions and continue doing business on a global scale.
Russia is staking its claim that BRICS can help it withstand Western pressure with new energy partnerships, digital finance initiatives, and cross-border infrastructure agreements.
Implications for American Power
Both militarily and economically, the United States continues to be the most powerful nation in the world. But the emergence of BRICS serves as a reminder that American dominance is no longer uncontested.
The World Bank and the IMF, and Western foreign policy have angered many developing countries. Parts of the world, including the United States, are responding favourably to the message that BRICS offers
a friendlier, less controlling alternative to powers they once had strong ties with
Will BRICS Create Its Own Currency?
One of the biggest global stories in 2025 is whether BRICS will launch its own reserve currency to rival the U.S. dollar. The idea is still in development but gaining traction. U.S. sanctions have made many countries wary of relying too heavily on the dollar.
A strong BRICS currency could weaken the dollar’s hegemony, particularly in international trade and energy markets, but it wouldn’t instantly replace it.
Final Thoughts
We may not be living through the Cold War 2.0, yet but 2025 is clearly the start of a new era of multipolar power. BRICS in 2025 is not just growing; it’s becoming more organized, more ambitious, and more relevant. For the U.S. and its allies, the challenge is not just military or economic, it’s ideological. Can the West offer a vision of global cooperation that feels fair and inclusive? Or will BRICS continue to win over the Global South?
