Southeast Asia’s sudden pivot toward the BRICS nations is a global game-changer that few in Washington saw coming.

In recent days, Malaysia detailed its ambitions to join Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Thailand and Vietnam are also among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations members expressing similar interest.

In Indonesia, there’s growing awareness that Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other “Global South” nations have a point in vying to join this burgeoning intergovernmental organization.