Brazil in Focus

Brasília Takes a Step Back from Tehran 

Maybe it's the afterglow of Barack Obama's charm offensive in Latin America. One of the Middle East's most encrusted autocracies may be in the process of losing one of its most reliable allies: Brazil.

by Amaury de Souza

Judging by recent events, it is highly unlikely that the Union of South American Nations, or UNASUL, will come to play an important role in mediating relations between Venezuela and Colombia - or elsewhere, for that matter. At issue here are questions that have plagued UNASUL since its inception, and to which the continental diplomatic initiative so far has had disappointing answers. The shortcomings of the organization to further cooperation and understanding in the region hold implications both for Brazilian diplomacy and the country's claims to recognition in the global arena.

by Roberto Abdenur

Talk of a "new world economic order" and "global governance" is in fashion today, but as far back as the 1960s Brazil was pressing for reforms in the international power sharing system. Think back to president Jânio Quadro's independent foreign policy (1960-1962) and chancellor Araujo Castro's "3Ds" diplomacy (development, disarmament and decolonization) under president João Goulart (1962 to 1964).