Al Jazeera analysis by Luciano Zaccara, professor of Gulf Politics, suggests that the emerging international order, characterized by organisations like BRICS and SCO, allows middle powers to diversify partnerships and reduce vulnerability to pressure from dominant powers. However, these relationships do not provide collective defense comparable to formal military alliances. The recent SCO summit, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian received political support but no defense offer, illustrates this distinction. Examples like Turkiye, Brazil, and India show states seeking diplomatic and economic options without necessarily acquiring new security guarantees or abandoning existing alliances.