Already the largest trade counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in South America, Brazil is emerging as a key security partner and a promising destination for Abu Dhabi's defense industry and arms exports. This trend has been epitomized in the recent letter of intent signed between the Emirati EDGE Group and the Management and Operational Centre of the Amazon Protection System (CENSIPAM).

At the heart of this growing relationship lies the delicate Emirati balancing act of strengthening ties with emerging...