The SCO and BRICS: History and Modernity

This article studies the work of two of the most important international organizations of our time: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Brazil–Russia–India–China–South Africa (BRICS) intergovernmental organization. The analysis is conducted in the historical retrospect, from the organizations’ establishment to the present day. In addition, the article examines the significance of international organizations on the whole. In his general assessment of the geopolitical situation, the author notes the high level of instability in the existing system of international relations, which is determined by the confrontation between the Western and anti-Western countries. It is emphasized that the SCO and BRICS are the main anti-Western blocs and the course of global geopolitical processes largely depends on them. Further, the growing importance of BRICS as an organization that influences geopolitical processes is pointed out. The history of both organizations and the range of tasks they fulfil are studied. Based on the historical context, the author attempts to predict the development of the SCO and BRICS. To solve this task, two main problems, according to the author, of both organizations are considered. The first one is the difference in attitudes towards the West. Despite the non-acceptance of the Western claims to hegemony by the SCO and BRICS states, there are considerable disagreements as to the level of conflict with the West. The second and equally important issue is the discord between the member states of both organizations. In view of these problems, the author analysed the relationship between Russia and China as the leading countries both in the SCO and in BRICS, the disagreements in the India–Pakistan–China triangle that arose after India and Pakistan joined the SCO, as well as prospects for the organization in light of Iran’s accession to the SCO in 2023. In the final part of the article, the author attempts to predict possible scenarios for the development of the SCO and BRICS and suggests ways of optimizing their work in the context of the problems discussed.