The flood of articles and coverage accompanying Saudi celebrations of the sixth anniversary of the appointment of the crown prince provides an opportunity for observers and interested parties to get acquainted with the “new political mentality” of the Kingdom’s most powerful man, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, not only because of the never-ending stream of commentary […]
On the surface, Bangladesh appears to be a small South Asian economic powerhouse. Bangladeshi women are at the core of its economic growth in the garments industry, it has averted the traps of religious fundamentalism and stands as a secular, developing nation. Its trade and diplomatic relations with the international community are tension- free and […]
Since her installation as the Prime Minister in January of 2009, Sheikh Hasina has been running a fascist rule in Bangladesh where democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance have been relegated to textbooks. Constitutional provision of an election-time neutral Caretaker Government (CTG) has been unceremoniously thrown away with a view to […]
The “Doomsday” clock has been advanced further due to the ongoing Ukraine War, which, in reality, is a war between Russia and the US-led West and their collaborators elsewhere. Ukraine has now been promised advanced warplanes by some of the NATO countries. If it escalates further, the Russian threat of using strategic nuclear weapons might […]
“The Nation voted us to power to see unity and communal harmony, not for any division or communality.” ~Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Lately, a vested coterie, aligned with the ruling regime of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Indian intelligence agency of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), re-started a false […]
After Donald Lu’s much talked-about visit to Bangladesh, a lull has eclipsed the country’s political horizon about this question. No one from either side of the political aisle wants to speak about the aftermath or possible fallout out of this diplomatic maneuver. Political analysts are unanimous that the visit of this U.S. Assistant Secretary of […]
Democracies maintain checks and balances in various ways in the current interdependent global system. Sanctions or embargoes on the part of powerful countries play a role in keeping wayward countries on the right track. Freedom of speech, human rights, freedom of political actions, the right to elect representatives of the people, and the right to […]
On January 21st, 2023, all hell broke loose in Monterey Park, California, when a gunman opened fire in a crowded place. The residents were celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year there at that time. That fateful night claimed 12 lives and injured 9 more. The incident was covered by newspapers worldwide. Within the next 48 […]
“He thought he had asylum. Now, he could face a death sentence” ran a story by U.S.’s influential POLITICO on July 24, 2020. “Rashed Chowdhury was a bit player in a years-old coup. His home country wants him back.” (He thought he had asylum. Now, he could face a death sentence. – POLITICO). With that news in […]
With wars raging in Ukraine, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere, Roe v. Wade overturned and our resources being wasted on militarism instead of addressing the climate crisis, it can be hard to remember the hard-won progress being made. As we end a difficult year, let’s pause to remind ourselves of some of the positive changes that […]