Brazilians Prepare to Vote in High-Stakes Election Marked by Political Violence |
On Sunday, Brazilians will vote (NYT) in an election seen as a crossroads for the country’s climate policy and democratic institutions. The incumbent, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, is trailing leftist former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in polls. Bolsonaro’s false claims that Brazil’s voting machines have a history of fraud have prompted fears that he will not accept a loss.
Under Bolsonaro, deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest reached a thirteen-year high (New Scientist) in 2021, while Lula da Silva oversaw a historic reduction in forest loss. The presidential race has involved at least three murders (WaPo) linked to political disagreements. If no candidate receives an outright majority of votes on Sunday, a runoff will occur on October 30.
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“In the extremely polarized environment that exists in Brazil today, even small incidents may lead to significant instability. A sophisticated deepfake video about supposedly malfunctioning voting machines, a delay in the announcement of the results, or an instance of violence on the day of the election could all interfere in the democratic process,” the Getulio Vargas Foundation’s Oliver Stuenkel writes for Foreign Affairs.
“[Lula da Silva has] benefited from a matchup with a deeply unpopular incumbent. Polls show that about half of Brazilians say they would never support Mr. Bolsonaro, who has upset many voters with a torrent of false statements, destructive environmental policies, an embrace of unproven drugs over Covid-19 vaccines and harsh attacks against political rivals, journalists, judges and health professionals,” the New York Times’ Jack Nicas and journalist Flávia Milhorance write.
This Backgrounder examines how Brazilian foreign policy fared under Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva.
This In Brief looks at the damage to the Amazon Rainforest. |
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Thai Court Rules Prime Minister Can Remain in Power |
Thailand’s Constitutional Court rejected opposition parties’ claim (Bangkok Post) that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha exceeded term limits, allowing him to remain in power.
CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick writes that Prayuth’s misrule is turning Thailand into a powder keg.
U.S./Japan: The Japanese government will grant (FT) U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology up to $320 million in subsidies as part of bilateral efforts to diversify tech supply chains away from China. |
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Nineteen Dead in Suicide Bombing Near Kabul Education Center |
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Middle East and North Africa |
U.S. Sanctions Ten Entities for Aiding Iranian Oil Exports |
The sanctions targeting (Bloomberg) entities from China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates are part of an effort to ramp up financial pressure on Tehran and push it to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal.
Israel/Lebanon: The countries are reportedly close to reaching a deal (BBC) in high-stakes talks over disputed offshore gas fields. |
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Military Mobilization in Burkina Faso’s Capital Prompts Fears of Unrest |
Soldiers patrolled the streets of Ouagadougou and heavy gunfire was heard (Al Jazeera) near the city’s main military camp and residential areas. The reason for the mobilization has not been announced.
Senegal: President Macky Sall asked courts to reexamine (Reuters) rules that currently block his two biggest opponents from running for office. Analysts said Sall could be seeking to divide the opposition ahead of the 2024 presidential election. |
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EU Energy Ministers Hold Meeting on Soaring Fuel Prices |
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Colombia, Mexico Hike Interest Rates |
Both countries’ central banks announced interest rate hikes (Reuters) to address inflation. The moves follow U.S. rate hikes. Meanwhile, the central banks of Brazil and Peru have signaled they will slow their rate increases. |
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Biden Declares Emergency for South Carolina as Hurricane Ian Approaches |
President Joe Biden also ordered federal assistance (NYT) for South Carolina to aid response efforts. Separately, state and federal officials said they expected deaths from the hurricane’s passage through Florida, but firm estimates were not yet available. |
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In phone calls obtained by the New York Times, Russian soldiers tell friends and family of the failed battles and leadership competencies that doomed their efforts to capture Ukraine’s capital. |
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Council on Foreign Relations |
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