| Summary/Abstract |
This paper points out that the Brazilian emerging maritime approach is a remarkable change in its post-Cold War era's defence policy. The constraints of the US regional hegemony in the American continent resulted in a reactive defence policy throughout the twentieth century and its division from Brazilian foreign policy. Although the regional systemic conditions of powers remain in the twenty-first century, the ‘Atlantic energy renaissance’ promises to burst Brazilian social-economic development. Because the emerging Southern Atlantic Blue Economy is an event of global impact, Brazil is proactive to an expected growing contest for energy and resources in the region. That explains the institutional reforms in the Brazilian armed forces, the emphasis on coastal defence, the new agenda for West Africa, and the new push in the Zone for Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic. This offers a historical background of that change, assesses its main aspects and challenges, and concludes with some recommendations.
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