Saudi Arabia, UAE look to balance relations between east and west, while Iran, Egypt look to benefit financially. In an era of emerging multipolarity, the BRICS group’s move to expand its membership should come as little surprise – with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region not exempt from a possible changing world order. Four of the six BRICS invitations, which came on Thursday during the finale of the group’s summit in South Africa, were handed to MENA countries: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran and Egypt are expected to accept their invitations as well, likely buoyed by financial interests, analysts said. “In one move, the Middle East and North Africa region could have four members in an expanded BRICS organisation,” Kamel told Al Jazeera.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 25, 2023 15:33 UTC