Brazil and the U.S. Need to Examine Their Relationship
Published in Folha Online
(Brazil) on 20 May 2010
by Sérgio Malbergier (link to original)
(Brazil) on 20 May 2010
by Sérgio Malbergier (link to original)
Translated from
by Diana Coada.
Edited by Juan Bernal.
Iran's clandestine nuclear program has become an unnecessary complication for Brazil in the international arena. Without a doubt, this interesting situation gives Brazil a global projection, which also benefits the country. Brazil is a country whose aspirations for a more powerful voice on the global scenario are not only fair, but will also add to its value, and in the long run, will strengthen Brazil’s brand. But is defending Iran the best way to do it? Cooperating with Tehran has many negative aspects.
Brazil’s diplomacy is at risk of being used by the Islamo-Fascist regime, which has a recurring pattern of dissimulation and manipulation when it comes to the nuclear issue. A similar agreement to that announced by President Lula in Tehran had already been accepted by Iran when negotiating with the great powers, only to be discarded later. Nobody really doubts that Tehran wants the bomb, and that Brazil has always been pacifist. But is this changing?
By defending a despotic regime’s position, cruel in persecuting minorities and opposition, Brazil has gotten itself into an argument with one of its most important international partners, the United States, which is still the most influential power around the world. Brazil also faces consequences from the United States' other important traditional allies, including France and Germany, who are quite involved in the nuclear debate.
The logic behind Lula’s argument is highly flawed, and Brazilian authorities are also refusing to admit the obvious: that Iran's program is clandestine and that the country has no credibility precisely because it has always lied about its nuclear ambitions. Ignoring this reality shows not only ingenuity from the Brazilian diplomacy, but also an uncontrollable need of self-assertion and confrontation with its American friends. A sort of revived third-world attitude for which there is no longer a place in the 21st century.
Brazil and the U.S. are the two giants of America, potentially with much bigger affinities than differences.
Barack Obama’s election created a great opportunity to take bilateral relations to a whole new level and in accordance with Brazil’s emergence as a great power. It could be a level of mutual respect and with a common agenda revolving around democracy, the defense of human rights and economic stability.
Unfortunately, relations went sour after a very short period of time, not only because of the juvenile impetus of self-assertion from the emerging Brazilian power, but also because of the persisting arrogance of the American empire in commerce as well as in politics. Brazil has a lot to gain if its relationship with the United States matures and transforms, adapting to the new realities of both countries. No matter how much they deny it, the two countries do share common important values. Together, they can form quite a constructive duo in this new emerging world.
It would be a lot better to see Lula holding hands with Obama than with Ahmedinejad.
Brazil’s diplomacy is at risk of being used by the Islamo-Fascist regime, which has a recurring pattern of dissimulation and manipulation when it comes to the nuclear issue. A similar agreement to that announced by President Lula in Tehran had already been accepted by Iran when negotiating with the great powers, only to be discarded later. Nobody really doubts that Tehran wants the bomb, and that Brazil has always been pacifist. But is this changing?
By defending a despotic regime’s position, cruel in persecuting minorities and opposition, Brazil has gotten itself into an argument with one of its most important international partners, the United States, which is still the most influential power around the world. Brazil also faces consequences from the United States' other important traditional allies, including France and Germany, who are quite involved in the nuclear debate.
The logic behind Lula’s argument is highly flawed, and Brazilian authorities are also refusing to admit the obvious: that Iran's program is clandestine and that the country has no credibility precisely because it has always lied about its nuclear ambitions. Ignoring this reality shows not only ingenuity from the Brazilian diplomacy, but also an uncontrollable need of self-assertion and confrontation with its American friends. A sort of revived third-world attitude for which there is no longer a place in the 21st century.
Brazil and the U.S. are the two giants of America, potentially with much bigger affinities than differences.
Barack Obama’s election created a great opportunity to take bilateral relations to a whole new level and in accordance with Brazil’s emergence as a great power. It could be a level of mutual respect and with a common agenda revolving around democracy, the defense of human rights and economic stability.
Unfortunately, relations went sour after a very short period of time, not only because of the juvenile impetus of self-assertion from the emerging Brazilian power, but also because of the persisting arrogance of the American empire in commerce as well as in politics. Brazil has a lot to gain if its relationship with the United States matures and transforms, adapting to the new realities of both countries. No matter how much they deny it, the two countries do share common important values. Together, they can form quite a constructive duo in this new emerging world.
It would be a lot better to see Lula holding hands with Obama than with Ahmedinejad.