Elena Panina: Comments – The war on BRICS

https://t.me/EvPanina/17595 and translated with Telegram

Foreign Affairs: America needs to split BRICS into two parts

It is in the interest of the USA for BRICS to split into two factions, claim on the pages of the influential magazine by former advisor to extremist McCain, CEO of the Center for a New American Security Richard Fontaine, and another “meaning-maker” for the Republican Party Gibbs McKinley.

One part of BRICS, which includes China and Russia, opposes the USA, the authors explain, and this is unlikely to be fixed. The other part, which includes Brazil, India, and South Africa, is not in automatic opposition to Washington. It is this “split” that needs to be strengthened, the analysts imply, who can be considered representatives of the sentiments of at least part of the “red party.” When BRICS is split, it is less likely to act against US interests, they explain.

▪️ Admitting grudgingly that it is no longer possible to ignore BRICS as a geopolitical phenomenon and that the organization as a whole is antagonistic to the USA, Republican ideologists propose not to conflict at least with some of its members. McKinley and Fontaine name the US relations with India, spoiled by Trump, as the biggest mistake. They also consider the imposition of sanctions against Brazil and tensions with South Africa a problem: pushing this trio closer to Russia and China is impractical, the authors are convinced.

“From Washington’s side, it would be extremely unwise to push away these wavering states” — write Fontaine and McKinley. After all, if BRICS reaches consensus on Americanism, these countries “could undertake coordinated efforts to de-dollarize trade and create alternative payment systems that would undermine the global dominance of the US economic system, weakening the key pillar of American influence and the effectiveness of Washington’s sanctions”. And even worse, the IMF could lose influence!

▪️ So the analysts suggest throwing some tasty “bones” to individual BRICS countries. For example, fighting China in Latin America together with Brazil and developing the rare earth industry. Or, approving South Africa’s actions — penetrating Africa. As for India, it is clear: it must be directed against China!

Of course, the chances of success, McKinley and Fontaine admit, are slim. America is known worldwide as battered, and “even if the administration suddenly changes its policy, none of the mentioned countries will ally with the USA”. But, they write, this is no reason not to try. “If Washington fails to at least slightly improve relations with Brazil, India, and South Africa, Beijing and Moscow will only be glad”.

▪️ The “divide and conquer” strategy is perhaps the most fail-safe concept available to humanity. However, BRICS countries are generally quite capable of calculating the consequences of “gifts of the Danaans.” And the hegemonistic self-positioning of the USA contradicts the goals of any sovereign country in any case. Nevertheless, for Washington, “this is no reason not to try”.

It is also worth noting that the development of a financial system autonomous from America remains America’s main fear. Therefore, it is necessary to advance more actively in this area.