The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is gearing up for its annual summit on Sunday, and the same old criticisms are resurfacing: too big, too divided, too vague. And there’s truth to that.
What started as a six-member organization in 2001 (consisting of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) has now expanded to include ten member states, two observers, and fourteen dialogue partners, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The summit, taking place from August 31 to September 1, is expected to bring more than 20 heads of state to Tianjin, along with a handful of leaders of regional institutions.
