In this week’s round-up:

• China, Russia, Iran start ‘BRICS Plus’ naval exercises in South African waters
• U.S. pressure challenges India’s BRICS role
• Dept of Defence is misusing the BRICS label – Chris Hattingh
• BRICS wargames: Why they matter, why India opted out

 

Government responds to latest threat to South Africa and US relations

Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa shrugged off criticism of South Africa hosting naval exercises with BRICS countries, asking, “What’s the big deal?”

BRICS wargames: Why they matter, why India opted out

South Africa is hosting the BRICS exercises, but two founding members are not participating amid tensions with the US.

 

U.S. pressure challenges India’s BRICS role

The major challenge to India’s presidency, a report said, will be handling US pressure and the resulting ripple effects within the group.

 

Dept of Defence is misusing the BRICS label – Chris Hattingh

The DA condemns the Department of Defence for calling recent naval exercises “BRICS” or “BRICS+” as it is deliberately misleading by design.

 

China, Russia, Iran start ‘BRICS Plus’ naval exercises in South African waters

China, Russia and Iran began a week of joint naval exercises in South Africa’s waters on Saturday in what the host country described as a BRICS Plus operation to “ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities”.

 

Large but rare: population of red-listed cats grows in BRICS countries

In recent years, the number of Far Eastern leopards in China has grown from 42 to 80. In Russia, the number of snow leopards has increased to 87. In 2015, there were only 10. Wildlife conservationists are confident that the future of big cats can be secured if we work together.