The ambiguous – not to say complicit – attitude of the Lula da Silva administration vis-a-vis the recent crackdown on Cuban dissidents by Fidel Castro’s tyrannical government has had a profound impact in the United States. Castro imprisoned 75 opponents and had three men who tried to flee the island executed by … Read more
The attitude of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) and his cabinet regarding the Iraq conflict revealed once again the ambiguity that characterizes the present Brazilian administration. However, ambiguity might not be the proper term. It would perhaps be more appropriate to speak of a deft masking of the leftist ideological … Read more
1. Lula da Silva’s Government Is Losing its Luster Just over two months into the new presidency, there are signs that the image of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) and his administration is beginning to lose its luster. The media now present Lula and some of his closest aides as … Read more
1. Growing Ambiguity As time goes by, it is becoming clearer that President Lula and his administration are adopting a policy of purposeful ambiguity. The Brazilian president is presented as a charismatic leader (the media went so far as to compare him to a medieval saint) who is capable of catalyzing the … Read more
The last couple of weeks have seen events of pivotal importance in determining the future direction of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration. President Lula da Silva continued his “foreign policy offensive” – an expression coined by leaders of the Workers’ Party (PT). He seeks to establish Brazil as a major … Read more
Part 1 1. The “Zero Hunger” program’s total discredit Among these mishaps are reverses suffered by the so-called “Zero Hunger” program, one of President Lula da Silva’s main battle flags and most important contribution to social welfare. While President Lula has failed to create a national consensus for this welfare initiative, it … Read more
After the Elections… As President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva and the Workers’ Party (PT) begin to govern Brazil, an important political cycle opens in Latin American politics. Given Brazil’s geo-political importance, its policies will affect events throughout South America and thus may come to shape American foreign policy in the region. … Read more
With the election of Luis Inacio Lula de Silva (Lula) in Brazil, our southern neighbor took a sharp turn to the left. “Lula” together with leftist leaders in Ecuador, Venezuela and Cuba threatens to form an “axis of evil” south of the border. To make Americans aware of this danger, the TFP … Read more