Brazil's National Defense Strategy -- A Deepening of Civilian Control
Abstract
The Brazilian military dictatorships of 1964-1985 established a national security strategy to modernize the country and populate the vast central and western areas of Brazil. Today's strategy similarly seeks to use the military as a means to advance grand national objectives. Under the leadership of President Luiz Inacio da Silva and Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, elected Brazilian officials will seize the mantle of civilian control of the military and provide strategic guidance and direction to the military services on their roles and missions. This project analyzes Brazil's 2008 National Strategic Defense Plan (NSDP) and compares this document to strategies formulated after the return of elected civilian rule. The research will reveal a first-of-its-kind civilian strategy document that directs the creation of a defense structure that can defend its territory, address threats to the nation, and collaborate with regional and global partners. The research will identify challenges and opportunities for the United States as the new Obama administration contemplates this bilateral relationship. Recommendations are provided to augment U.S. defense policy to serve as a reliable partner to Brazil and to enhance greater defense relationships in the hemisphere.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA510838
Entities
People
- Linwood Ham Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army War College