![A dam in Ethiopia on the Nile River that is causing tensions with Egypt.](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ethiopia-dam-nile-egypt-09182023-1.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
Amid the fanfare surrounding BRICS’ expansion last month, the longstanding tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the latter’s mega-dam project on the Nile went largely unnoticed. In offering both countries membership, BRICS has absorbed a complex regional conflict, raising questions over its potential to shape global affairs.