Analysis

An Open Letter to WHO: You Knew Who Her Mother Was. Why Did You Wait?

The WHO placing Saima Wazed on "indefinite leave" is too little, too late. She should never have been given the post to begin with, and it should not have taken so long to remove her.

If BNP Seizes This Moment, Bangladesh’s Youth Will Lead a New Golden Era

Bangladesh’s 50 million young voters are restless, ambitious, and eager for real change -- not just promises. If BNP seizes this moment with bold reforms and youth-led leadership, it could spark a new era where opportunity, dignity, and democracy thrive together.

The Ties That Bind

The United States and Bangladesh were both born of a war of independence that pitted ordinary men and women against the might of a formidable army. This spirit was renewed in Bangladesh one year ago and shared responsibility will always be the backbone of true strength.

Of July and Revolutions

Contrary to confident public pronouncements by commentators, the Bangladesh-America relationship remains strong and is poised to reach new heights in the future

Let Global Hands Steer Our Ports: A Call from a Son of Chittagong

Bangladesh should welcome global partners to improve its ports, cut costs, and create jobs -- saying no out of fear will only hold us back again

One Year On: How Bangladesh Defied Dictatorship and Reclaimed Its Future

The July 2024 protests began as a stand against injustice and ended with the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Today, Bangladesh is led by an interim government under Professor Yunus, backed by global support and committed to restoring democracy and accountability.

Restoring Democracy, Rebuilding Trust

Why BNP’s return is essential for Bangladesh’s future

NCC is a bad idea. But there is a better option.

BNP is not entirely wrong about the NCC. But there is a solution: reinstate the Citizens Coalition’s all-party parliamentary committee proposal. That solves all the problems.

The Satellite City and Why It is Needed in Bangladesh

Creating satellite cities is essential to easing Dhaka’s growing urban pressures and distributing resources and population more evenly across the country

Of jamdanis and sherwanis

The time has come for Tarique Rahman to exercise leadership and guide his party through the reform process. Leaving it to local leaders threatens to put BNP on the wrong side of history.

The Two-Term Itch

Prime ministerial term limits are a red herring. The Consensus Commission is getting played if it allows BNP to accept them instead of more substantive reforms.

The Washington Time Lag

Given the determination of the US and Israel to bring down the Iranian government, what cards does Iran have left to play? Democratic, domestic reform is almost certainly the one durable solution.

Empowerment or Tokenism? Rethinking Women’s Representation in Bangladesh Politics

We need women in politics, but reserved seats are not the way. A better solution would be to mandate 33% nomination quota for each party.

Bangladesh’s Financial Abyss: A Crisis of Corruption and Collusion in Finance Companies

NBFIs can be saved -- but liquidation is not the answer. Bangladesh Bank needs to impose immediate and strict oversight, remove the compromised directors and managers, and install competent, independent professionals.

BNP Needs to Play the Long Game

PR-based upper house is not only good for the country, it will serve BNP's interest as well. The sooner the party understands why opposing PR is self-defeating, the better for everyone. Most crucially, for itself.

Israel, Iran, and America Are Sliding Toward a Forever War. Here Is What That Could Mean.

There will be no winners but plenty of losers from a protracted war targeting Iran. Paradoxically, it is almost certain that the biggest losers would be Israel, and, if it gets sucked into the quagmire, America.