Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun framed the SCO meeting as a response to a world he described as being engulfed in “chaos and instability.” He emphasized the importance of the SCO in promoting stability and cooperation in an increasingly polarized global environment. 

The meeting is expected to focus on several critical issues: 
1. Regional Security: The ceasefire between Israel and Iran has brought temporary calm, but the broader security dynamics in the Middle East remain volatile. The SCO provides a platform for member states to coordinate their approaches to regional conflicts and terrorism. 
2. Countering NATO Influence: The NATO summit’s decision to increase military spending has been viewed by some SCO members as a reinforcement of Western dominance. The Qingdao meeting offers an opportunity for SCO nations to strengthen their collective defense and strategic partnerships. 
3. Economic and Military Cooperation: Beyond security, the SCO has increasingly emphasized economic collaboration, particularly through initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Defense ministers are likely to discuss ways to align military strategies with economic goals. 

The SCO meeting highlights the accelerating shifts in global power dynamics, with China, Russia, and Iran playing increasingly assertive roles on the world stage. The organization’s emphasis on multipolarity and non-interference in domestic affairs contrasts with the Western-led order championed by NATO and the United States. 

For China, the meeting is an opportunity to assert its leadership in shaping a new global order, one that reflects its vision of a multipolar world. Russia, meanwhile, seeks to strengthen its alliances as it faces ongoing tensions with the West. Iran, a relatively new member of the SCO, views the organization as a critical platform to counter its isolation and secure support for its regional ambitions. 

While the SCO presents itself as a force for stability and cooperation, critics argue that the organization’s member states have differing, and sometimes conflicting, interests. For example, India and Pakistan, both SCO members, have longstanding tensions that could complicate consensus-building. Additionally, the SCO’s emphasis on non-interference has been criticized for enabling authoritarian regimes to avoid accountability for human rights abuses.  Moreover, the SCO’s ability to effectively address global challenges remains untested. While it has made progress in areas like counterterrorism and economic cooperation, its influence on major international issues, such as the Middle East conflict or the Ukraine crisis, has been limited. 

The SCO meeting in Qingdao is a significant event in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. As China, Russia, and Iran seek to strengthen their partnerships and counterbalance Western influence, the gathering underscores the accelerating changes shaping the 21st century. However, the organization’s ability to navigate internal divisions and translate its rhetoric into meaningful action will determine its long-term impact on global stability and security.  In a world marked by increasing polarization, the SCO’s emphasis on multilateralism and dialogue offers an alternative vision for international relations. Whether this vision can address the complex challenges of the modern era remains to be seen. 

By Paul Bumman