Moscow, Beijing and Latin America: Testing smart power diplomacy

Abstract

Moscow and Beijing’s policies and its various diplomatic activities in Latin America generated a substantial political concern, however, there is no enough research in the region on this subject. After the Bush era, the emergency of smart power diplomacy under Putin and Hu Jing Tao leaderships has meant a highly strategic participation. The Obama´s strategy toward the region will refuse hard power diplomacy and it will try to improve hemispheric solidarity on democratic principles. The paper will examine the flirtation1 policies among these key non-regional great powers as a possible counterweight to its long term adversary, the United States. The emergency of “smart power diplomacy” must adjust to these new tripolar scenarios that have transformed inter-American issues and intra regional balance of power relations.