Would Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran be invited to join the BRICS group?

 Yes, that's correct. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, and Iran have been invited to join the BRICS group, which currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The invitation was made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 14th BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

The BRICS group is an informal grouping of five major emerging economies. It was founded in 2006 and has been growing in influence in recent years. The group's members account for about 40% of the world's population and 25% of the global economy.

The invitation to the six countries is seen as a way to expand the BRICS group's influence and to counter the influence of the West. The United States and its allies have been critical of the BRICS group, accusing it of being autocratic and undemocratic.

The six countries that have been invited to join the BRICS group are all major economies with significant potential. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil exporter, the UAE is a major financial center, Argentina is a major agricultural producer, Egypt is a major tourist destination, Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, and Iran is a major energy producer.

The invitation to these countries to join the BRICS group is a significant development. It remains to be seen whether they will all accept the invitation, but if they do, it will be a major boost to the group's influence.

Here are some of the reasons why Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran might want to join BRICS:

• To increase their influence in the global economy.
• To counter the influence of the West.
• To gain access to new markets and investment opportunities.
• To cooperate on issues of common interest, such as climate change and terrorism.

It is also worth noting that not everyone is happy about the invitation to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran to join BRICS. Some countries, such as India, have expressed concerns about their human rights records. However, the BRICS countries have made it clear that they are not seeking to create a political or military alliance, but rather a forum for economic cooperation.

Only time will tell whether Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran will accept the invitation to join BRICS. However, the invitation is a significant development that is likely to have a major impact on the global economy and politics.

The position of Western countries and the United States on this group

The position of Western countries and the United States on the BRICS group is mixed. Some countries, such as India, have expressed support for the group, while others, such as the United States, have been more critical.

The United States has been critical of the BRICS group for a number of reasons. First, the United States sees the group as a challenge to its own economic and political dominance. Second, the United States is concerned about the human rights records of some of the BRICS countries, such as China and Russia. Third, the United States is worried that the BRICS group could become a forum for cooperation on issues that the United States opposes, such as climate change.

Despite these concerns, the United States has not taken any concrete steps to block the BRICS group or to prevent other countries from joining. This is likely because the United States also sees the benefits of cooperation with the BRICS countries on issues such as trade and investment.

The position of other Western countries on the BRICS group is also mixed. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have been more supportive of the group than the United States. Others, such as France, have been more critical.

Ultimately, the position of Western countries and the United States on the BRICS group is likely to evolve over time. The group's growing influence and the changing global landscape will likely force Western countries to reconsider their stance on the BRICS group.

Here are some specific examples of the United States' criticism of the BRICS group:

• In 2013, then-US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the BRICS group was "a group of countries that do not share our values".
• In 2014, then-US President Barack Obama said that the BRICS group was "not a model for the world".
• In 2018, then-US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that the BRICS group was "a vehicle for authoritarianism".

The United States' criticism of the BRICS group has been met with mixed reactions from the group's members. Some members, such as China, have been dismissive of the criticism, while others, such as India, have been more open to dialogue with the United States.

It is still too early to say what the long-term impact of the United States' criticism of the BRICS group will be. However, it is clear that the group is a growing force in the global economy and politics, and the United States will need to find ways to engage with it if it wants to maintain its influence in the world.