How US Meddling is Pushing Bangladesh Toward Chaos and Anarchy

Bangladesh, a nation of profound cultural heritage and geopolitical significance, finds itself on the edge of civil unrest. The cause? Alleged meddling by the United States in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. This interference became glaringly obvious during the lead-up to the January 2024 general elections, which saw the re-election of Sheikh Hasina and her party, the Awami League. The result has been widespread turmoil and the potential for escalating conflict.

US Interference in Bangladesh’s Politics:

The January 2024 general elections marked a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history. Despite claims of electoral fairness by the ruling Awami League, the US and several Western nations deemed the elections “unfair” due to their failure to unseat Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These nations have supported the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and its ally, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, both of which have controversial ties. Jamaat-e-Islami, in particular, is known for its violent methods and its connections with Pakistan’s security apparatus.

The US’s involvement in Bangladesh is not a recent development. The nation’s strategic location has made it a focal point of international interest. The US played a crucial role in brokering a political settlement in 2007 between the BNP and the Awami League, leading to the rise of Sheikh Hasina in 2009. However, Hasina’s refusal to align with US interests has caused increasing friction, culminating in the US’s apparent efforts to undermine her government since 2014.

US-China Rivalry and Its Impact on Bangladesh:

Bangladesh has become a key battleground in the broader geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. The US, Bangladesh’s largest foreign investor and a critical trading partner, has grown increasingly concerned about China’s expanding influence in the region. Chinese investments in Bangladesh’s infrastructure have been perceived by Washington as a sign of Dhaka’s growing alignment with Beijing.

Bangladesh’s strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region has made it a significant player in the US-China power struggle. The US has sought to bring Bangladesh into its sphere of influence, inviting Dhaka to join the Quad in 2020 and its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) in 2022. However, Bangladesh has steadfastly refused to join any military alliance, opting instead to maintain a balanced foreign policy that avoids favouring one superpower over another.

In 2021, Bangladesh even rebuffed a warning from a Chinese envoy, who cautioned Dhaka against joining any military alliance, demonstrating the country’s commitment to an independent foreign policy. This balanced approach, however, has not sat well with the US, which has since increased its pressure on the Hasina government.

US Sanctions and Diplomatic Tensions:

The US has expressed its discontent with Sheikh Hasina’s government through a series of actions. In 2021, Washington imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s elite paramilitary force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), accusing it of extrajudicial killings and disappearances. The following year, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas visited the families of victims of these alleged disappearances, which drew sharp criticism from Awami League leaders, who accused the US of interfering in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs.

Further aggravating the situation, Bangladesh was conspicuously excluded from the US’s Democracy Summits in December 2021 and March 2023. In April 2023, Prime Minister Hasina publicly accused the US of attempting to engineer a regime change in Bangladesh, a move she described as “undemocratic.” The US responded to these accusations with diplomatic coldness, refusing to meet with Hasina during her visit to Washington DC in April 2023 to celebrate 50 years of partnership with the World Bank.

The Resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami and the Threat of Radicalism:

The escalating violence in Bangladesh also signifies the resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical Islamist organization with a troubling history. The Bangladesh Supreme Court banned Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party in 2013, and on August 1, 2023, the Hasina government officially designated Jamaat and its student wing, Chhatra Shibir, as terrorist organizations. Jamaat-e-Islami is notorious for its extremist agenda, which includes implementing Sharia law and turning Bangladesh into a radical Islamist state. The organization’s history of anti-Hindu violence has made it a significant threat to regional stability.

Despite its extremist background, the US has been accused of backing Jamaat-e-Islami to challenge Hasina’s authority. The pressure on Hasina to allow Jamaat to participate in the January 2024 elections was intense, but she remained resolute in her opposition to the group. However, in the absence of Hasina’s strong leadership, Jamaat cadres have seized the opportunity to incite violence, targeting minorities, particularly Hindus, as well as Awami League supporters.

This situation in Bangladesh mirrors the US’s actions in Afghanistan, where American support for radical Islamists ultimately led to the rise of the Taliban and the Haqqani network. The US’s strategy of supporting radical groups to overthrow governments that do not align with its interests has had disastrous consequences, and Bangladesh now risks following a similar path.

Bangladesh is at a critical juncture, with its future hanging in the balance. The US’s interference in the country’s internal affairs, coupled with the resurgence of radical groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, has pushed the nation toward chaos and anarchy. As the US and China continue their power struggle in the region, Bangladesh must navigate these turbulent waters carefully to preserve its sovereignty and stability. The potential for a radical Islamist government in Bangladesh poses a significant threat not only to the country but to the entire region, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to this crisis.