In the coming week, President Lula reckons with Brazil's capital riots.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio meets President Biden in Washington,

and the Czech Republic holds presidential elections.

It's January 12, 2023 in for Jim Lindsay today is Sheila Smith.

She is the John E. Merro Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Studies at the Council.

Sheila, thanks for being here.

Thanks, Bob. It's my pleasure.

Bob, let's start in Brazil.

This past Sunday,

thousands of supporters for former President Jayao Bolsonaro stormed the presidential palace,

Congress, and Supreme Court. They were convinced that the recent elections were stolen.

Sounds familiar. While security forces have quelled the rioters, how will President Luis

Inacio Lula de Silva handle the aftermath of a clearly divided

nation? That is the question of the moment, Sheila. I think what's interesting to note

initially is just the response, I think it was a bit personal, but also among all the kind of

the Brazil watchers and experts and so forth, which was shocked that this happened, not surprised

that this happened,

because it had been playing out since the elections, before the elections even, again, echoes

of what happened in January 60, United States.

Javier Bolsonaro saw the polls, saw himself dropping in the polls, still really close election.

Lost it, though, by all accounts, free and fair elections.

And then, you know, was not stepping forward to say,

...