The January expansion of the BRICS bloc to include several key Middle Eastern nations was widely seen as a major geopolitical development that could reshape global power dynamics. Bringing Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and others into the fold opened new possibilities for cooperation and trade outside the Western-led order. Key questions remain around whether efforts to introduce a shared trading currency will gain momentum and what effects this could have on the US dollar's dominance globally. It also remains to be seen how Saudi Arabia might leverage its new position within BRICS to advance its Vision 2030 agenda of economic diversification. Meanwhile, it also begs the question of how might the UAE further develop its diplomacy and trade partnerships through deeper BRICS engagement.

In this episode, Senior Reporter Tala Michel Issa speaks with geopolitical risk expert Nicolas Michelon, Partner at strategic advisory firm Confluence Consultants, about the expansion's strategic implications and potential impacts on reshaping global trade in the coming years.