US Isolates, EU Stalls, BRICS+ Capitalize: 2025 Shifts Global Order

The year 2025 marks a significant turning point in global relations. The illusion of a synchronized world, born from the Cold War’s triumph, has been shattered. Now, nations exist in a polyrhythmic state, each moving to its historical tempo.

Shifts in Global Order

Amidst this transformation, two major trends are emerging. The United States is retreating into isolationism, while the BRICS+ group is rising as a pillar of an alternative order extending from Brasília to Shanghai. This separation reflects a systemic chaos, demanding comprehension to anticipate future global dynamics.

Latin America: A Case Study

Latin America, particularly Brazil, has experienced 2025 with urgency. Brazil’s dual leadership of the G20 and BRICS+ showcased its capacity for “overlapping diplomacy.” This ability to engage in multiple global forums has positioned Brazil as a key player in international relations.

• The COP30 held in Belém highlighted the Amazon and climate justice as essential agenda items for BRICS+.
• Brazil promoted local currencies for intra-bloc trade while advancing food security and climate initiatives.

The BRICS+ organization is evolving into a strategic operational system for major demographic powers. This shift is not merely a reaction to Western policies; it reshapes global governance.

The US Response

In contrast, the United States has opted for isolation. This withdrawal is not only geopolitical but systemic, as Washington refrains from participating in new global institutions or reforming existing ones. As a result, nations are gravitating away from conventional Western structures such as the IMF and World Bank.

Europe’s Dilemma

Europe finds itself in a perilous position. It faces a dilemma between a retreating American ally and the encroaching Eurasian influence represented by Russia, which is part of the expanding BRICS+ ecosystem. European nations watch anxiously as BRICS+ agendas on food security, infrastructure, and climate transition appeal to their neighbors, particularly in Africa and the Balkans.

• Europe risks being sidelined from alternative financial and political circuits.
• Its stagnant productivity may make it a less attractive partner for the dynamic Global South.

Asia’s Role in BRICS+

Asian nations are emerging as the driving force behind BRICS+. China serves not just as a member but as the principal financier and technological hub, while India acts as a counterbalance, maintaining connections with the Anglo-speaking world. Together, they provide the economic and military foundation that bolsters BRICS+’s credibility.

The successes seen in Asia’s productivity will underpin the sustainability of the BRICS+ initiative, creating protected markets and alternative trade routes, particularly through countries like Iran and Russia.

The Strategic Landscape in Oceania

In Oceania, the growth of BRICS+ redefines strategic pressures. Nations such as Fiji and Papua New Guinea are increasingly looking to the New Development Bank (NDB) for climate resilience funding. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand navigate a Pacific where competing offers from BRICS+ counterbalance their traditional leadership roles.

A New Economic Circuit

The potential formation of two partially integrated global systems raises critical questions for 2026. The challenge is no longer to envision a shared world under a single Western influence, but to prevent a severe disconnect between old and emerging systems. The future success of BRICS+ as a governing platform may determine global stability for years to come.

If Europe remains stagnant, it risks becoming a battleground rather than a key actor in these evolving dynamics.