Is Brazil’s Leadership Helping Our Security?

Ray Walser / June 10, 2010

Last week the Obama Administration released its National Security Strategy for 2010.  The document waxed fulsome in praise of Brazil as an “emerging center of influence.”  It welcomed “Brazil’s leadership” which promises “to move beyond dated North-South divisions to pursue progress on bilateral, hemispheric, and global issues.”

Brazil’s decision, along with Turkey, to vote against new sanctions on Iran was certainly not the type of leadership the White House envisioned from Brazil.  For months Brazil has stood, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, in support of Iran’s right to “a peaceful” nuclear program. It brokered along with Turkey a partial nuclear fuel swap Brazil claimed demonstrated Iran’s readiness to cooperate on nuclear issues.

That our powerful southern neighbor could have abstained to preserve a neutral distance between Washington and Tehran chose instead to thumb its nose at the U.S., Europe and the rest and side with Iran is troubling. (more…)