Brazil's Grand Design for Combining Global South Solidarity and National Interests: A Discussion of Peacekeeping Operations in Haiti and Timor

Abstract

This study analyzes how Brazil has assumed visible leadership of peacekeeping operations in order to increase its international status, with the ever-present goal of attaining a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, but also with the larger aim of cultivating forms of political-economic, cultural, and military globalization in which the Lusophone giant can articulate new forms of transnational influence. Brazil's role in MINUSTAH (the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti) and in peacekeeping interventions in Timor have become cornerstones of Brazilian nationalism, which is evolving into a particular, global South framed 'Brazilian exceptionalism'. I will argue that these operations are seen by Brazilian policymakers as win -win scenarios: Brazil increases its international peacekeeping credentials while these fragile states obtain internal security, a first step towards development. But is this what is actually happening? I will conclude by addressing how peacekeeping in Haiti and Timor fit into Brazil's grand design for long-term global extension.

Military Involvement in Latin American Politics

“…These missions are continued to the present. 51 From 2004 on, Brazil and Chile headed the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). 52 Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru created special peacekeeping schools.…”

Les opérations de paix de l’ONU : dépenses et efficacité

“…La Chine, elle-même, bénéficie également de l'autorité que lui confèrent ses interventions dans les pays où elle intervient. Elle influence notamment les pays africains bénéficiaires pour qu'ils utilisent leurs votes à l'ONU à bon escient (Nieto, 2012et Zhengyu et Taylor, 2011.…”