The severe impact of the recent world economic crisis on the richer economies, the scare of peak oil and the growing importance of biofuels, the revaluation of raw materials or the growing economic relations among the BRICs have revived international attention over BrazilÕs possibilities, demands and aspirations. And the Ògreen giantÓ knows that. The countryÕs defence budget has grown at extraordinary rates and huge projects (many of which were forcibly abandoned during the early 90s) are now being undertaken. The old ambition to own a nuclear-powered submarine could become a reality before 2020 and is considered by many as a stepping stone towards a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This collective work is seen as a general introduction to the key issues of BrazilÕs contemporary defence policies.