‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Abstract In today's world, economic sanctions are one of the main foreign policy tools of Western countries to exert pressure on target countries in order to change their political and economic behavior. In addition to having direct effects on the economy and domestic politics of the countries under sanctions, these sanctions cause changes in international relations and strengthen regional cooperation. The main question of this article is to what extent have Western sanctions played a role in strengthening the position of BRICS and the Eurasian Economic Union between 2012 and 2024? The main hypothesis of the article is that these sanctions have led to changes in the trade and economic patterns of these organizations and have accelerated economic processes independent of the West. In this study, using a comparative analysis method based on documentary sources and historical data, the development and strengthening process of these organizations in the face of Western sanctions has been examined. The results show that Western sanctions, especially after political and economic crises in the member states of these organizations, have acted as a factor in increasing economic, trade, and political cooperation among BRICS and Eurasian Economic Union members. Ultimately, this study concludes that Western sanctions can play a positive role in strengthening non-Western organizations, but there are several challenges in the field of internal integration and resource management that require further attention.

Abstract  
Seeking to counterbalance international unilateralism, Iran employs a strategy that combines domestic strengths with strategic partnerships, viewing institutions like BRICS as vital platforms. Motivated by a revisionist perspective on the global order, Iran actively cultivates relationships with emerging powers while opposing cooperation with established hegemonic forces. Key objectives, pursued through BRICS membership, include strengthening Iran's geopolitical position and working to delegitimize and contain perceived unilateralist hegemony.

Abstract The growing strength of the BRICS countries over the past decades and the formation of this group in the last ten years, given the strategic, political and economic capabilities of this group, has seriously raised the possibility of changing the structure of the international system. In the meantime, the study of Russia's goals in the formation of this group and the process of its development during the years of BRICS formation is of special interest due to its key role in the establishment of BRICS and its relationship with the current international system.
The main question of the article is whether the BRICS influence on the international system is pursued with the aim of changing the existing order? In answer to this question, the hypothesis of the article is that the BRICS group is aimed at moderating the existing order by synergizing among its members and influencing the current power structure in the international system. The findings of the article show that the outcome of the BRICS goals is in line with the goals of Russia as one of the main BRICS members, despite the differences between this country and other members, in order to achieve the multiplicity of multiple centers of power worldwide. The method used is descriptive-analytical.

Abstract Kremlin insisting on the idea of BRICS as a diplomatic club of emerging regional powers for a decade and rebuilding this idea in order for challenging US domination over global economic institutions, parallel attempts of the BRICS in line with the US-led order, particularly with the Brett on Woods Financial system, has created an emerging network of partnership between revisionist powers with the goal of changing global governance. There is no doubt that BRICS is one of the most strategic forces to reforming international system as well as a novel strategic management. However, it is mostly about the difference between what Kremlin wishes for and what it gains. The main question of this study is "What are Russia's expectations regarding BRICS and to what extent these expectations are obtainable? "The initial response to the first part of the question is that "Russia expects that Brix by weakening US-led institutions in the management of the global economy and creating alternative regimes creates a multipolar international system including Russia as an important pillar". For the second part, the hypothesis has been tested that "although Brix's acts, considering continuing convergence the focus of the member states on the criteria of sustainable development and political governance, will lead to weakening US-led institutions and creating alternative regimes in long term, Russia's position in the coming order will remain similar to what it is. "The findings of the paper conducted by documentary-library methodology and analyzed through a causal method in qualitative and descriptive dimensions confirm the hypotheses.

Abstract The Russia – India – China Triangle is one of the first mechanisms that were used to encounter the US centered international order by the eastern powers which brought along the SCO and BRICS. Russia, India and China’s foreign ministers troika is actually an attempt for making a cooperation network among revisionist powers. Given the bilateral, trilateral and multilateral relations between the three mentioned countries, the question is whether such a goal is possible or not. The article’s achievement proves that although having relative potentialities and strong motivations for changing the US centered international order, the Russia – India – China Triangle is not capable of achieving the goal in the present situation. That is rooted in their diverse perception about the nature of this change and the position of each three country in the future of such a new order.  Therefore strengthening the perspective of a change in international order is assessed as a positive measure for these players. Using an explanatory - analyzing method, the literature tries to find out the inefficiency causes in mechanisms of Russia – India – China Triangle.

Abstract The characteristics of the post-cold war International System and United States hegemony are not only the result of the changing structure of power, but the performance of agents and actors have also played an important role in the formation of principles of this era. Accordingly,  the anti-hegemonic acts such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the role played by regional actors have increased the desire to confront the hegemonic power and provided grounds for an assertion of emerging powers,  shifting the international system to its current uni-multi polar form. In the meantime, the empowerment of China in the economic arena and its influence on the international system on the one hand and Russia’s attempt to protect its sphere of influence at a regional level and its confrontation with the hegemonic unilateralism on the other hand has brought forth the following question: what are the main components of Russia-China soft power balance and how do these components influence US hegemony? The hypothesis of this paper is that components such as delegitimizing the hegemony, economic reinforcement, utilizing regional organizations such as BRICS are the main components of Russia and China’s soft power balance that emphasize the indirect confrontation of the hegemonic power and challenge the United Sates. Through an explanatory-descriptive, and with data collective methods via library, internet statistics this paper further explores the components of Russia and China’s soft power balance in the field of economic power, utilization of organizations such as BRICS, delegitimizing hegemonic power, preventing the efficacy and performance of the United states in sensitive regions which have been effective in influencing US hegemonic power. 

Abstract Chinas an emerging power in the transitional period of post-cold war era, through improving its political and economic power, as well as by taking benefit of the existing various institutions particularly BRICS as an intercontinental political-economic coalition, has tried to develop its share of global power and to orient the global structure towards a multilateral, fair, just and balanced system. China as one of the most important and influential members of BRICS, has, due to its economic growth and political influence, a more favorable position in comparison with other members of this institution.         In this regard, a question arises: why and how China has a strategic vision towards the BRICS? And the hypothesis is that in the framework of neo-liberal institutionalism theory, China is trying to act as a pivotal power in the transitional international system in order to establish a "balanced polycentric system" by reinforcing the economic and political cooperation through different multiregional institutions particularly BRICS.