The incorporation of MENA nations into BRICS will enhance their economic cooperation with BRICS nations diminishing Western influence in the region. In August 2023, BRICS agreed to embark on its expansion plans admitting six new members mainly from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, all prominent players in the region with promising economies, seek increased economic independence from the West through their BRICS affiliation. With China as a shared focal point, these nations intend to broaden their economic and diplomatic influence in pursuit of their respective national interests. Many new members still rely on the US for their security, and BRICS offers a platform to rebalance their relationships with other major powers like China and Russia. Additionally, BRICS’ pursuit of de-dollarization of global economic order has significant implications for US influence in the Middle East.

The establishment of the BRICS in 2009 underscored its discontent with the Western-dominated global order. BRICS has been perceived as a counterbalance to the G7 which comprises major global North countries led by the US. It emerged in response to the belief that the existing international economic and political framework favors and safeguards the interests of Western powers, leading to the creation of an alternative platform. One of BRICS’ goals was to enhance economic collaboration and trade prospects among developing nations in the global South. BRICS members collectively account for more than 32.1 percent of global GDP, surpassing the G7 by 2.9 percent. This economic strength makes it an appealing alternative for developing nations to meet their economic requirements. As a result, oil-rich Middle Eastern nations have sought membership in BRICS as a strategy to diversify their economies and counter Western sanctions.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are drawn to BRICS countries, particularly China due to their objectives of economic diversification and modernization. Saudi Arabia and the UAE prioritize securing long-term oil exports to China, their largest oil market in 2021. Notably, OPEC predicts China will remain a long-term growth market for oil, despite global renewable energy transitions. To secure Chinese oil demand and outcompete rivals, they invest billions in Chinese oil refineries and petrochemical industries, negotiating long-term supply contracts with Chinese firms. Saudi Arabia aligns Saudi Vision 2030 with China’s BRI, fostering partnerships and joint ventures with Chinese institutions and state-owned enterprises for technology and expertise access. Additionally, the UAE’s goal to double its GDP to $800 billion within a few years is a driving force behind its interest in joining BRICS, as it anticipates economic benefits from this affiliation. These initiatives signal their intent to seek dependable strategic partners beyond the United States in the future.

Iran’s motivation to join BRICS is to defy the Western sanctions and further expand its influence globally.  Iran could expand trade relations with BRICS states, especially if it can sell its desired oil volume. Consequently, Imposing sanctions on nations trading with Iran would be challenging for the U.S., given BRICS’ representation of nearly half the world’s population. Since 2005, Iran has ardently pursued a Look East strategy, prioritizing collaboration with China and Russia. President Ebrahim Raisi, upon assuming office in 2021, reaffirmed the vital role of bolstering ties with China, Iran’s foremost trade partner. In a notable development, a substantial 25-year accord was sealed in 2021, envisioning a staggering $400 billion influx of Chinese investments into Iran. BRICS offers Iran the prospect of forging additional partnerships with fellow BRICS members, even in the face of geopolitical challenges.

The participation of MENA nations in BRICS will bolster the group’s capacity to advance its de-dollarization objectives, reducing Western economic clout in the region. Since BRICS’ inception, member nations advocated trading in currencies besides the U.S. dollar. Russia led de-dollarization efforts in response to U.S. sanctions after the Crimean crisis in 2014. With new members, BRICS forms nearly half of the global GDP, challenging the dollar’s dominance. Several states like the UAE have moved away from the dollar by making oil trade agreements with countries like India. In July 2023, the UAE and India agreed to use their own currencies instead of the dollar for bilateral trade. A month later, Indian Oil Corp. conducted its first transaction with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, settling it in Indian rupees. Any de-dollarization effort by Saudi Arabia which is a major oil exporter globally can dent the current dominance of US dollar dominance further limiting Western dominance of the international order.

The MENA nations joining BRICS signal a shared aspiration to actively engage in and contribute to globalization, rather than passively observing it. Presently, BRICS is perceived as a consortium primarily focused on advancing economic cooperation and development projects with emerging nations. Nevertheless, in the future there is a significant likelihood that the group will embark on new geopolitical initiatives on a global scale challenging US established international order. The expanding role of China in the Middle East and strategic partnerships with MENA nations point towards a diminishing U.S. influence in the region. The U.S. remains a key defense partner for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and both countries rely on the U.S. for their security, especially in dealing with Iran. However, recent developments, such as Chinese peace initiatives between Iran and Saudi Arabia and their entry into BRICS, could mend regional relations, resulting in a more secure region and further diminishing U.S. influence.