Beijing's New World Order: Iran's SCO Blueprint
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting recently concluded in Beijing has signaled a new geopolitical landscape. For a long time, the global security order was determined by Western centers like Washington or Brussels, but a new diplomatic framework is now taking shape, spearheaded by nations like Iran, Russia, and China in Beijing. With Iran's participation and its new security approach, an 'anti-NATO' or 'alternative global security framework' is emerging, based on the principles of multipolarity, sovereignty, and collective resistance. This is not just a tactical shift; it signals a restructuring of the global power structure and the rise of a new international order.
This transformation is significant in historical context. After the Cold War, the American-led Western alliance became the center of political, economic, and military power around the world. However, in recent years, the rise of powers like Russia and China has challenged Western hegemony and voiced support for a multipolar world. The SCO provides a platform where these powers can advance their interests and develop an alternative global security framework. Iran's inclusion in the SCO is a crucial part of this trend, reflecting a growing shift towards a multipolar world.
Iran's Strategic Restructuring: Seeking an 'Alternative Axis'
Tehran now views the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation not just as a symbolic platform, but as a concrete, functional, and far-reaching organization capable of balancing NATO's influence. The clarity and legal grounding with which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticized U.S.-Israeli policies in his speech in Beijing was not merely an expression of discontent but a proclamation of an alternative world order. Araqchi argued that attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and Western sanctions, by violating international laws, are illegal. He explicitly stated that 'the control of the narrative is no longer in the hands of Western powers.' This statement reflects Iran's deep rejection of the existing global power structure and demonstrates its commitment to establishing a new, more just international order.
Iran's approach is not only theoretical. It is pursuing a practical strategy designed to strengthen its influence in the region and counter Western pressure. By using the SCO as an effective platform, Iran can deepen its relations with its regional allies and form a united front. This will help Iran protect its security and economic interests and pursue an independent foreign policy.
The Iranian Roadmap for Making the SCO a Functional Security Platform
Abbas Araqchi's proposals were not merely theoretical; they presented a systematic institutional blueprint for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, aimed at making it a functional security platform. His proposed measures include:
• Collective Security Body: This body would be created to respond to external attacks, terrorism, and sabotage, providing member states with a collective guarantee of security.
• Permanent Coordination Mechanism: This mechanism would record covert activities against member states and create counter-strategies, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response to combat security threats.
• Sanctions Resistance Center: This center would be created to collectively withstand the impact of Western sanctions, helping member states cope with economic pressure.
• Shanghai Security Forum: This forum would be created to discuss defense and intelligence coordination, increasing security cooperation among member states.
• Cultural and Media Cooperation: This cooperation would be carried out to combat information warfare and ideological attacks, helping member states protect their values and interests.
These proposals make it clear that Iran is not only opposing the West, but is also drafting a blueprint for the future. It sees the SCO as an organization that can balance Western dominance and promote a more multipolar world.
The Russia-China-Iran Triad: The New Cornerstone of Multipolarity
The presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at this meeting and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping indicate that the Moscow-Beijing axis has now taken the form of not only an economic but also a strategic alliance. Iran's role is to give this alliance a new geopolitical balance. Russia is currently acting as a bridge connecting Central Asia and South Asia. Its dialogue with India, China, Pakistan, and Iran reflects that the SCO is moving towards becoming a flexible but influential organization that can accommodate diverse interests on one platform - without any central dominance. Russia's growing influence reflects its desire to strengthen its strategic position in Central Asia and South Asia, while its alliance with China allows it to compete with Western countries and promote a multipolar world.
The growing cooperation between Russia and China is increasing the challenges for the United States and its allies. This alliance could change the balance of power around the world and reduce the United States' influence.
India's Role: Contrary to Western Expectations
The prediction of Western analysts that India's presence would create divisions in the SCO has proven to be completely wrong. India has not only actively participated but has also reiterated its commitment to the platform. This stance of India indicates that it is aware of its role in multipolarity and does not want to be fully integrated into the rigid axis of the West. This is an important aspect of India's independent foreign policy, which allows it to act in accordance with its national interests.
For India, the SCO provides a platform where it can strengthen its relations with Central Asia and Russia. It also helps India gain access to energy resources, combat terrorism, and promote regional security. India's active participation in the SCO demonstrates its desire to strengthen its role as a responsible and constructive power in the region.
However, balancing its role in the SCO is a challenge for India, as it also has strong relations with the United States and other Western countries. India must ensure that its participation in the SCO does not harm its relations with Western countries.
Challenging the West by Citing UN Laws
Araqchi cited Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter and Security Council Resolution 487 to point out that attacks and sanctions on Iranian nuclear bases are completely illegal. This stance symbolizes 'legal resistance' - challenging the moral legitimacy of the West in international forums. This legal argument not only strengthens Iran's position but also questions the legitimacy of the West's actions based on international law.
This approach emphasizes the importance of international law and encourages Western powers to abide by international rules. Iran's legal resistance can set a precedent for other developing countries that want to use international law to protect their interests.
The West's Response: Predictable Pressure
Within days of Iran's proposals, the European Union imposed new sanctions on eight Iranian individuals and one entity. The reason - 'serious human rights violations.' But this was a strategic signal. The West wants platforms like the SCO not to become effective and for the voices of nations like Iran to remain outside the global discourse. But this very reaction justifies Iran's point: 'The current global order has become 'power-based' rather than 'rule-based'.'
Western pressure may prompt Iran to be more assertive in its foreign policy and further worsen its relations with Western countries. However, it may also prompt Iran to strengthen its relations with the SCO and other non-Western powers.
NATO vs. SCO: Structural Differences
NATO is a centralized, U.S.-dominated security alliance, in which member countries have to act according to a central command. In contrast, the SCO's structure is more egalitarian and sovereignty-respecting. It does not have the dominance of any one power. NATO's foundation is monolithic operation in the name of collective resistance, while the SCO's foundation is coexistence and dialogue in diversities.
This structural difference makes the SCO an attractive alternative for countries that are uncomfortable with Western hegemony. The SCO allows member countries to maintain their sovereignty and pursue their foreign policy independently. This makes the SCO more flexible and adaptable than NATO.
Envisioning the Future: Can It Truly Become an 'Anti-NATO'?
Iran's long-term strategy rests on the idea that NATO will not be the only security mechanism in the 21st century. If the SCO accepts Iran's proposals and changes the organization's structure, it can truly become an option that balances Western dominance. It's not just about Iran - there are numerous countries, such as Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations, that are uncomfortable with Western dominance and are looking for alternatives.
The possibility of the SCO becoming an 'anti-NATO' poses a serious challenge to Western powers. It could change the global balance of power and reduce the influence of the United States.
Conclusion: A New Worldview is Taking Shape in Beijing
This move by Iran from the platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is not merely a strategic restructuring but a blueprint for the future international order. It is an attempt that suggests that global politics will no longer be decided only in Washington or Brussels - but its script will also be written in cities like Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow. Iran is now emerging not only as a 'troublemaker' but also as an institutional planner. And if its proposals are supported, we can truly see a new global security framework being formed in the 21st century - where multipolarity, sovereignty, and cooperation will outweigh dominance and hegemony.
The SCO meeting in Beijing signals the beginning of a new era where the global power structure will be more decentralized and multipolar. It is an era where developing countries will play a more active role in international affairs and help shape global rules and norms. It is an era where cooperation and dialogue will replace conflict and confrontation.
Although this transformation will not be easy. Resistance from Western powers can be expected, and there may be conflicts of interest among member countries within the SCO. But still, the rise of a multipolar world is an inevitable trend. As the global balance of power shifts, it becomes essential for developing countries to raise their voices and help shape the future international order.
In this context, India has an important role to play. India is a large and influential country with strong relations with both Western and non-Western powers. India can become a bridge that brings together different perspectives and promotes global consensus.
India must ensure that the multipolar world is a more just and inclusive world. India must also ensure that the multipolar world is peaceful and stable. India can use its diplomatic skills and its economic strength to help achieve these goals. Ultimately, the SCO meeting in Beijing was an important moment in global politics. It signaled the rise of a multipolar world, and it provided an opportunity for developing countries to help shape the future international order. This opportunity is especially important for India, as it can play a leadership role in this region and around the world. India must seize this opportunity and help build a more just, inclusive, peaceful, and stable world."