The contradictions of Brazil’s foreign policy

This piece from the economist caught my eye…

“The values Rio Branco espoused—peace, moderation, trust in international law, non-intervention and what would now be called the pursuit of soft power—became integral to Brazil’s idea of itself, Mr Ricupero argues. And Itamaraty, as the foreign ministry is known (from the palace in Rio de Janeiro it formerly occupied), came to be seen as the Rolls-Royce of Brazilian government, its prestige based on meritocracy and knowledge.”

Brazilian foreign policy is never more important than now, as the view of great powers like the United States is that we are again in a era of great power competition.