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BRICS Summit Exposes Deep Fractures Among America's Adversaries

While global rivals scramble to challenge Western influence, internal distrust and conflicting agendas leave the bloc without a coherent path forward.

Foreign PolicyPublished September 13, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping pose for a family photo during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, India, September 12, 2026

The latest BRICS summit in Delhi served as a stark reminder that a shared desire to dilute American influence is not enough to forge a cohesive alliance.

While leaders from China, Russia, Iran, and other nations gathered to discuss a 'new global order,' the event was defined more by the glaring divisions between these so-called partners than by any tangible progress. Despite the photo opportunities, these nations remain locked in historical border conflicts, military confrontations, and economic disputes.

The summit's joint declaration was a masterclass in avoidance, carefully sidestepping the war in Ukraine and refusing to assign blame for Middle Eastern conflicts to keep the fragile coalition from collapsing. This toothless consensus underscores the reality that BRICS is less of a strategic powerhouse and more of a loose collection of convenience.

Even as Iran’s President Pezeshkian sought to use the platform to escape the pressure of American sanctions and naval blockades, the underlying mistrust—particularly between India and China—remains palpable.

While the bloc attempts to position itself as a counterweight to the West, the reality is that these nations are struggling to define a vision for the future that goes beyond mere anti-American posturing.

As the world watches, it is clear that without a unified purpose, this group of rivals will continue to find that their common grievances are no substitute for true strategic alignment.

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