Posts

Why We Must Reform Chittagong Port by Bringing in Global Expertise Now

An inefficient private local company is driving port operations into the ground. We could enhance exports by bringing in an international operator. If we don't act now, it will only cost us that much more in the future.

The Collective Myopia of BNP and How They are Losing Their Brand

In this era of internet and social media, people are not allowed to forget. Every information, every statement, every image lives forever. When we were given a rare opportunity for a new Bangladesh, people will remember who were for them, against them, and who betrayed them.   

The Liberation War and Zia: Some Falsehoods and the Pursuit of Truth

On the occasion of Zia’s 44th martyrdom anniversary, I express my hope that everyone involved will engage in long, dispassionate, and objective research on Zia’s role during the Liberation War.

The Weaponization of History

What happens when history is turned into an instrument not of understanding, but of coercion, sanctification, and political legitimacy? Across continents and ideologies, regimes and ruling parties have wielded history not just to remember, but to silence, not to teach, but to control.

Chronicles of Coups Foretold

Now that Hasina is gone, it is time we explore these deep fissures in our formative years, not just through political thrillers, but also serious, scholarly enquiries.

Shut Down Bhasan Char Now

Bhasan Char is a symbol of the corruption and cronyism of the last regime, a so-called humanitarian scheme that served only to line the pockets of the powerful. The Interim Government can do the right thing by making a clean break from Sheikh Hasina's most disastrous Rohingya policy.

How To Reach Consensus On Reform

The only meaningful item remaining on the reform agenda is whether an Upper House should be based on PR or not. Everything else can be sorted out without difficulty. We are closer to consensus than you think.

Childhood’s End

Soon we will no longer be able to rely on Prof Yunus's global reputation to smooth things over with allies and adversaries alike. It is time for Bangladesh to invest in its diplomatic capacity. The future belongs to those who can skillfully maneuver on the world stage.

The Rise and Fall of Obaidul Quader

The Reappearance of the Once All-Powerful AL General Secretary Paints a Portrait of Moral Bankruptcy and Political Cowardice

How does Indian intelligence view Bangladesh? And is it a player in the current crisis?

Creating Chaos in Dhaka Is Cheaper for India Than Confronting China in Lalmonirhat and the Bay of Bengal

How Trump’s Oval Office Became a Global Interrogation Room

The White House is now a stage for public rebuke, political theatre, and intimidation disguised as diplomacy. Within this heavily guarded mansion now lies an inner chamber not of hospitality but of strategic humiliation, where world leaders no longer meet an equal but face a prosecutorial figurehead.

Many Faces of the Digital Divide: Why Access Alone Is Not Enough

Edtech and e-learning are not a silver bullet. They are just one piece of a complex and many-layered puzzle that we need to solve to deliver education to the masses.

We are not going anywhere

Is it for the Interim Government to arrogate to itself the sole power to determine the time-frame for elections?

The Case Against December Elections

The public may want elections sooner rather than later. But elections without reform threaten to make things worse, not better.

Post-Yunus Bangladesh: An Unknown Destination

BNP should be careful what it wishes for. A post-Yunus Bangladesh may create more problems than it solves.

Between the Barracks and the Ballot: Decoding General Wakar’s Closed-Door Calculus

Could General Wakar’s words be interpreted as a masterclass in layered messaging -- a high-stakes chess match played across three boards –- domestic politics, regional pressure, and international diplomacy?