>Every country wants their own strategic autonomy, and is jockeying to build their specific niche. Of course every country acts in its own interests. I didn't

>Every country wants their own strategic autonomy, and is jockeying to build their specific niche. Of course every country acts in its own interests. I didn't say otherwise. I even made mention of this being a reason for why BRIS is likely to fail. That does not mean it shouldn't be tried. >Relations with the "West" are used as a way to further enhance their own regional autonomy or even graduate to great power status. Lets be frank, other than maybe China, there isn't any other "great power" than the US. All the other western states are quiet vassals of the US. We saw this most recently with the Netherlands and their blocking of ASML exports to satisfy the US. Ok yes the US help build ASML into what it is but at the same time when the US says jump, the dutch say how high? No one can really tell the US to get lost. Except maybe China one day. And that presents an opportunity for all the smaller nations that are looking for a deal with the US. They can now play the US off with China. Small countries know they will get screwed either way but they can at least get a better deal than they could otherwise. Countries like Iran that are on the wrong side of the US may collapse in the long run because their systems just aren't conducive to long term stability but in the meantime dealing with China might give their people a leg up in terms of economic exchange. Ditto for every other country not aligned with the US. Again BRICS will likely fail but it existing could be the first step to something different in the future.