Western governments have spoken about Iran’s military posture with a tone that oscillates between dismissal and alarmism. In official statements and media narratives, Iran is either portrayed as a technologically backward state relying on “primitive” systems, or as a reckless actor whose innovations somehow appear out of thin air. This
Re-imagining how advisory bodies can be institutionalised and be inclusive and responsive Thabo Mohlala Advances in science technology and innovation must serve both the people and the planet. The world we are living in is going through a period of profound global transformation marked by existential threats and the suffering
Quiet Diplomacy Has Exhausted its Strategic Utility The expansion of BRICS has intensified an internal contradiction. The bloc positions itself as an emerging centre of global realignment, yet it continues to operate through diplomatic restraint inside a system that offers no reciprocal respect for sovereign autonomy. As Hedley Bull argued
In a landmark moment for global literature, Egyptian writer Salwa Bakr has been awarded the inaugural BRICS Literature Award at the Khabarovsk City Palace of Culture, during the BRICS Countries Arts Festival. Bakr, a prominent figure in contemporary Arabic prose, is celebrated for her diverse body of work, which includes
The visit showcased a kingdom eager to accelerate its technological transformation and a US government signalling openness to strategic economic partnerships. But behind the celebratory tone, analysts point to lingering uncertainties: Which deals will materialise, how quickly will projects move from paper to reality, and how sustainable is this momentum
The United States entered October with its manufacturing sector still caught in a prolonged slump, while a parallel global shift is seeing the nations of the Global South step into a far more assertive economic and diplomatic role. The persistence of US industrial weakness; exacerbated by tariff volatility, supply-chain stress,
China remains a dominant force in global tourism expansion, leveraging its massive infrastructure and strategic policies. The country boasts the world’s largest high-speed rail network, spanning 45,000 km, which uniquely merges tourism with routine mobility, a feat unmatched by other emerging economies. Policy changes, such as the 2024 visa-free agreement
Electric mobility is reshaping global industrial policy, and nowhere is this shift more pronounced than in the Global South. China’s acceleration in electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing and technological integration has triggered a significant re-ordering of global value chains—particularly for BRICS and BRICS+ economies seeking industrial upgrading, green-tech capability and new export
India’s nuclear ambitions entered a new phase following high-level discussions between Russia’s Rosatom and India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in Mumbai. The talks, led by Rosatom, centred on an expanded portfolio of nuclear energy initiatives, ranging from large-scale power reactors to new-generation small modular reactor (SMR) technologies. Technical specifications
The rapid expansion of Africa’s automotive aftermarket, driven by increased vehicle ownership, advanced logistics, and sophisticated mobility sectors, masks a critical danger. This booming sector is facing a severe and costly crisis: the rampant influx of counterfeit auto parts into national supply chains. Fake components such as brake pads that