The Ideational Elements of Brazil’s Arab Strategy: An Assessment (2002-2010)

Abstract

Abstract: Relations between the countries of Latin America and the Middle East have been an under researched topic within their respective fields. This can be attributed, at least partly, to the fact that both regions have a comparatively low level of diplomatic and economic interactions, when contrasted, for example, with relations between Latin America and the European Union, or between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asia. In the specific case of Brazil, even though the latter has decades old relations with selected Arab countries, such as Iraq, very little has been written about its interactions with the Arab world in general. One of the reasons for this may be attributed to the dearth of issues of high politics underscoring this relationship, issues that if present could assist in capturing media and academic attention. This article seeks to contribute to the study of both regions by focusing on a particular moment of Brazilian foreign policy when relations with the Arab world were at their peak in terms of visibility.