The White House hosted an “African leaders” summit of sorts this week. But only five countries from the continent of more than 50 nations were welcome to join.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan spent years pushing a grand vision. A neo-Ottoman revival. A stronger Turkey, which is independent of the West. But in the halls of BRICS diplomacy, that vision fell apart.

The Trump administration will not immediately impose a new 10% tariff against members of the developing nation BRICS bloc, but will proceed if countries take so-called "anti-American" policy actions,

Platforms such as BRICS, which provides a bigger market for ASEAN exporters, are especially important now that the United States is threatening to raise tariffs by as much as 40 percent, he said, adding that economic growth is one of ASEAN's major focuses.

A summit of leaders from the BRICS group of major emerging economies kicks off in Brazil Sunday – but without the top leader of its most powerful member.

Trump threatens India with new tariffs over BRICS participation, complicating trade deal negotiations with the US.

Xi Jinping skips BRICS Summit for the first time amid speculation of political turbulence in China and divisions between member nations over trade and strategic interests

At their latest summit in Brazil, the BRICS nations once again portrayed themselves as an emerging geopolitical heavyweight. Yet the internal contradictions within this expanding group remain plain to see.

Brics can only provide credible leadership in a changing global order when it addresses its many inner contradictions.

A back-to-basics approach might be needed amid mounting concerns about the blocs’ continued relevance in shaping the international order.