Explaining Brazil

The start of the legislative year kicks off the political calendar in 2020. And President Bolsonaro has plenty on his plate: pressing reforms, a Supreme Court vacancy, and much intrigue.Read show notes. — Support the show

The risks of a coronavirus outbreak in Brazil are less substantial for the country's public health, and more for its struggling economy.Read show notes. — Support the show

The PCC has just staged a Hollywood-esque prison escape in the Brazil-Paraguay border. We explain how a union of prisoners founded by eight men has become Brazil's (and South America's) biggest drugs gang.Read show notes. — Support the show

Brazil is inaugurating a new research base in Antarctica. The country's top researcher in the field explains to us why the South Pole is as important for Brazil's climate as the Amazon rainforest.Read show notes. — Support the show

Taking stock of the first 12 months of the Jair Bolsonaro government, we speak to two experts to break down what has gone right, and what has gone wrong. Guests: Carlos Goes (Ph.D. researcher at UCSD, formerly at IMF) and Claudio Couto (Fundação Getulio Vargas).Read show notes. — Support the show

Slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888, but there are still thousands of modern slaves working around the country. Guests: Camilla Costa (BBC), and Augusto de Arruda Botelho (Human Rights Watch).Read show notes. — Support the show

Recent crises in Latin America show how the Armed Forces remain key power brokers in the democratic game. But using the Army as a legitimizing force brings back old demons from Latin America's not-so-distant past—when most of the region was ruled by military dictatorships. And this puts civilian leaders in an immensely fragile position.Read show notes. — Support the show

President Jair Bolsonaro has broken away and launched the only overtly far-right party in Brazilian politics. This week we look at the rise of extremism and polarization in Brazil's political arena.Read show notes. — Support the show

The Brazilian Republic is 130 years old. The democratic dream remains not entirely fulfilled, but Brazil has made many strides. So we ask: what is the state of our union?Read show notes. — Support the show

Love him or hate him, there's one thing you can't take away from Brazilian former President Lula: his story epitomizes Brazil more than any other politician. Guest: André Pagliarini, a lecturer at Dartmouth College. Read show notes. — https://brazilian.report/videos/2019/11/18/explaining-brazil-85-how-lulas-story-explains-brazil/Support the show

Brazil is known for its mammoth bureaucratic system. But blockchain could help business in Latin America's top economy.Read show notes. — Support the show

From Chile to Catalunya, Lebanon to Hong Kong … it seems like we're seeing protests erupt everywhere. But one region seems to have been hit harder than others by this massive wave of disgruntlement: Latin America. It seems that Latin America's veins are as wide open as they've ever been.Read show notes. — Support the show

Back in 2008, Brazil formulated its National Defense Strategy, selecting the construction of a nuclear submarine as one of its priorities. To find out more about this mission, we spoke to Anne Bianchi, who oversees the construction of Brazil's first nuclear submarine.Read show notes. — Support the show

In just a couple of weeks, Brazil will hold the largest oil auction in its history. This week, we look back at how the country rose to become a key player in offshore drilling.Read show notes. — Support the show

The Brazilian construction group admitted to paying USD 29 million in bribes over a decade in Peru. And it has caused the downfall of four former presidents—and potentially a fifth.Read show notes. — Support the show

With references to God, socialism, and gender issues—not to mention skirting the blame for Amazon deforestation—Jair Bolsonaro's speech at the United Nations General Assembly made people all over the world cringe.Read show notes. — https://brazilian.report/videos/2019/09/25/explaining-brazil-podcast-79-bolsonaro-flips-off-the-world/Support the show

The world's largest retailer has just improved its position in Brazil. What will be the impact on local players?Read show notes. — Support the show

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella is staged a homophobic crusade against an Avenger comic. It is part of a calculated move to get him re-elected. Read show notes. — Support the show

Brazil celebrates its independence day on September 7. This week, we explain how former French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was influential to this process.Read show notes. — Support the show

Ranchers in Northern Brazil used WhatsApp to coordinate massive—and simultaneous—Amazon fires. The worst part? The government knew beforehand.Read show notes. — Support the show