In a good game of chess, strategy is everything. With an end goal to counter NATO extension, Russia and China are scrambling to acquire new pawns by integrating two Middle Eastern adversaries into their security and financial coalitions.
The principal targets are Iran and Saudi Arabia, two countries with little love for the United States and Western influence. If Russia and China are successful, it could lead to severe issues for Western Countries.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, also known as SCO, is a financial and military union comprising the countries of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan. The SCO is looking at Iran and Saudi Arabia to bolster its numbers and strengths.
The other is BRICS, a gathering of rising financial powers that incorporates Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Both act as force multipliers to drive for multipolarity. They can help promote economic linkages and fill stop gaps left vacant by U.S, Institutions because of sanctions.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry declared Monday that the nation intends to join the SCO and BRICS, with Saudi Arabia also purportedly keen on joining BRICS.