BRICS is an association of five major countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Distinguished by their emerging economies, the group has sought to improve diplomatic coordination, reform global financial institutions, and ultimately serve as a counterbalance to Western hegemony.

On Aug. 24, 2023, BRICS announced that it would formally accept six new members at the start of 2024: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In this graphic, Visual Capitalist’s Marcus Lu and Bhabna Banerjee provide a data-driven overview of how the BRICS expansion will grow the group’s influence and reach.

[Every American strategic eye should be on what’s going on here. It’s a shame we don’t have any in the Biden administration. ~ Beege]