Latin America is being espoused as a battleground for competing Middle East powers, whose leaders are criss-crossing the continent seeking support from an increasingly strategic region. President Peres’ visit to the region from November 10-17 marks the first state visit by an Israeli President to
Brazil in 40 years and to Argentina in 20 years. Peres' visit comes amid stalled Middle East peace negotiations and only days before Palestinian Authority acting Chief Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to visit Argentina. President Ahmadinejad of Iran is also planning a similar trip to Brazil and the region this month. More over Hugo Chavez expects Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Venezuela by the end of the year as well.
Israeli President’s trip is primarily to offset growing Iranian influence in the region. Iran has developed strong alliances on the continent with a number of socialist governments, allied to Tehran by their hostility towards America. Also a major concern is the launching of a new diplom
atic campaign by Palestinian Authority leaders to gain international backing for a Palestinian state, seeking to unilaterally declare statehood in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
Brazil and Argentina have Latin America’s largest Jewish populations out of a total estimated 500,000 in the region. Peres was in Brazil last week, where Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to arrive on November 23, and Brazilian officials say Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may also visit later this month. Asked if he thought Brazil, given its good relations with both Israel and Iran, might be a good nation to help temper Iran's supposed nuclear ambitions, Peres said: "Maybe. But I don't have this expectation.". During the UN General Assembly in September Brazilian President Silva defended Iran's right to have a nuclear program for energy and called it a great partner. Brazil’s close relations with Iran have been a source of concern for Israel as well as the United States, says Chris Sabatini, senior director of policy for the New York-based Council of the Americas. It has become a voice for poor countries in the G-20, and some governments see it as the moderate voice of the region'
s leftist-led nations. Brazil has a sizable Shiite Muslim population in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, which is another reason for its open relations with Iran, according to Sabatini.
Argentina on the other hand has taken the opposite tack from Brazil and has collaborated more so with the US in isolating Iran. One reason is Buenos Aires’ “large, vocal [and] politically powerful” Jewish population, says Sabatini, and the not-too-distant memories of the 1992 and 94’ bombings of the Israeli embassy and at the Israelite Mutual Association. Argentina and Israel accuse Iran of masterminding these attacks.
A visit to the country by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also scheduled for the coming week. Kirchner, Peres’s Argentine counterpart has been pushing for fresh negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and has strongly condemned the illegal Israeli settlement policy in the occupied territories. Argentina has also offered to mediate between Israel and Palestine for peace in the Middle East.
Iran’s ideological and political agenda does have more traction in some parts of Latin America – especially with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. Venezuela has deepened its ties with Iran in recent years, exchanging official visits and signing numerous agreements to cement economic, political and military cooperation. Both nations are strident critics of the United States and Israel. Venezuela has also been accused of aiding Iran with its ‘nuclear ambitions’, a claim that both nations deny. Israel has not had diplomatic relations with Venezuela since January, when Chavez kicked out the Israeli delegation to protest Israel’s war with Gaza.
Iran’s spreading influence in South America is causing concern both in the United States and Israel. Washington is clearly alarmed by Iran’s inroads in the region. Hillary Clinton at the commencement of her designation as Secretary of State signaled her concern about Tehran’s ambitions, claiming that it was making “disturbing gains” on the continent. Given the new administrations change of policy as regards engaging Iran, Latin America has the potential to pose as a proxy mediator. However, so far leadership on both sides seems more inclined towards forwarding their respective strategic interests in the region rather then any credible engagement.
Discussion Questions:
· Do you think Latin America has the capacity to provide a credible platform to resolve Middle Eastern rivalries?
Brazil in 40 years and to Argentina in 20 years. Peres' visit comes amid stalled Middle East peace negotiations and only days before Palestinian Authority acting Chief Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to visit Argentina. President Ahmadinejad of Iran is also planning a similar trip to Brazil and the region this month. More over Hugo Chavez expects Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Venezuela by the end of the year as well.Israeli President’s trip is primarily to offset growing Iranian influence in the region. Iran has developed strong alliances on the continent with a number of socialist governments, allied to Tehran by their hostility towards America. Also a major concern is the launching of a new diplom
atic campaign by Palestinian Authority leaders to gain international backing for a Palestinian state, seeking to unilaterally declare statehood in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.Brazil and Argentina have Latin America’s largest Jewish populations out of a total estimated 500,000 in the region. Peres was in Brazil last week, where Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to arrive on November 23, and Brazilian officials say Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may also visit later this month. Asked if he thought Brazil, given its good relations with both Israel and Iran, might be a good nation to help temper Iran's supposed nuclear ambitions, Peres said: "Maybe. But I don't have this expectation.". During the UN General Assembly in September Brazilian President Silva defended Iran's right to have a nuclear program for energy and called it a great partner. Brazil’s close relations with Iran have been a source of concern for Israel as well as the United States, says Chris Sabatini, senior director of policy for the New York-based Council of the Americas. It has become a voice for poor countries in the G-20, and some governments see it as the moderate voice of the region'
s leftist-led nations. Brazil has a sizable Shiite Muslim population in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, which is another reason for its open relations with Iran, according to Sabatini.Argentina on the other hand has taken the opposite tack from Brazil and has collaborated more so with the US in isolating Iran. One reason is Buenos Aires’ “large, vocal [and] politically powerful” Jewish population, says Sabatini, and the not-too-distant memories of the 1992 and 94’ bombings of the Israeli embassy and at the Israelite Mutual Association. Argentina and Israel accuse Iran of masterminding these attacks.
A visit to the country by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also scheduled for the coming week. Kirchner, Peres’s Argentine counterpart has been pushing for fresh negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and has strongly condemned the illegal Israeli settlement policy in the occupied territories. Argentina has also offered to mediate between Israel and Palestine for peace in the Middle East.
Iran’s ideological and political agenda does have more traction in some parts of Latin America – especially with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. Venezuela has deepened its ties with Iran in recent years, exchanging official visits and signing numerous agreements to cement economic, political and military cooperation. Both nations are strident critics of the United States and Israel. Venezuela has also been accused of aiding Iran with its ‘nuclear ambitions’, a claim that both nations deny. Israel has not had diplomatic relations with Venezuela since January, when Chavez kicked out the Israeli delegation to protest Israel’s war with Gaza.
Iran’s spreading influence in South America is causing concern both in the United States and Israel. Washington is clearly alarmed by Iran’s inroads in the region. Hillary Clinton at the commencement of her designation as Secretary of State signaled her concern about Tehran’s ambitions, claiming that it was making “disturbing gains” on the continent. Given the new administrations change of policy as regards engaging Iran, Latin America has the potential to pose as a proxy mediator. However, so far leadership on both sides seems more inclined towards forwarding their respective strategic interests in the region rather then any credible engagement.
Discussion Questions:· Do you think Latin America has the capacity to provide a credible platform to resolve Middle Eastern rivalries?
· How active a player is the United States in these proceedings given its shaky reputation with the left inclined governments in the region?
Sources/Related Links:
§ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6913276.ece
§ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jrVxsK76kN5mdsqKBt_zKCAY3Unw
§ http://features.csmonitor.com/globalnews/2009/11/10/why-is-israels-shimon-peres-in-brazil-and-argentina-iran/
§ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jNvnx4UI_mCKE5-oXzBB01jsxwOQD9BSV5HG0
§ http://jta.org/news/article/2009/11/09/1009050/chavez-announces-ahmadinejad-visit
§ http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/President_Peres_state_visit_Brazil_Argentina_9-Nov-2009.htm?
§ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127379.html
§ http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=347486&CategoryId=14093
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and jointly developed by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and jointly developed by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Please PREVIEW Your Comments Before Posting.
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