M A Hossain It is easy to overlook the quiet revolutions in geopolitics, especially when the headlines are dominated by wars in Ukraine and Gaza, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, or the perennial drama of U.S.-China rivalry. Yet, beneath the surface of global power struggles, there is a subtler but equally consequential shift unfolding across Central Asia and the South Caucasus. And it is not Moscow, Beijing, or […]
M A HossainDonald Trump once campaigned on ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. He promised to bring an end to the proxy war with Russia, leveraging his self-proclaimed ‘Dealmaking’ skills. Yet, halfway into July, what we see instead is a new escalation dressed up as diplomacy. In a carefully choreographed appearance with NATO Secretary Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump offered Moscow a “50-day […]
XI’s BICKS NO-SHOW: STRATEGIC SHIFT OR SILENT WARNING?CHINESE SYMBOLISM ON CONFIDENCE IN FULL PLAYM A HossainIn the realm of global politics, symbolism matters almost as much as substance. President Xi Jinping of China has decided not to attend this year’s BRICS summit which will be held in Rio de Janeiro. This is the first time President Xi will not be at the summit since BRICS’s inception. This […]
M A HossainBy any military measure, Ukraine’s ‘Operation Spider Web’ was an astonishing success. In a meticulously planned operation, Ukrainian drones struck deep into Russian territory, obliterating at least 40 military aircraft—including nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers—in a single, devastating blow. The attack revealed not only meticulous Ukrainian planning over 18 months but also the glaring vulnerabilities of Russia’s so-called impenetrable airspace. It was a coup de […]

By M. A. Hossain & Vishakhajha For decades, U.S. alliances have been the backbone of global stability, fostering economic cooperation and collective security. NATO, economic partnerships with European and Asian allies, and engagement in international organizations have cemented America’s leadership in world affairs. However, under Trump’s second term Presidency, these traditional alliances came under significant […]
By Satyaki Chakraborty The anti-discrimination students body which pioneered the massive upsurge in Bangladesh last year leading to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 and abdication of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, is set to float their new political party with specific programme and constitution by the end […]
By Satyaki Chakraborty More than six weeks have passed since the visit of Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on December 9 and his wide ranging talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart to improve the worsening bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries. Latest indications, however, suggest that the interim government headed by Dr. Mohammad […]M A Hossain As the United States approaches its 2025 presidential inauguration, the potential impact on US foreign policy is under close examination, particularly concerning the Global South. The countries in these regions—spanning across Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia—face unique challenges and opportunities based on whether the next US president will be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. The candidates’ distinct approaches to international relations, trade, […]
M A HossainThe upcoming US presidential election on November 5, 2024, carries significant implications for the entire world, including Bangladesh’s political landscape. With the recent ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her fleeing the country thus taking refuge in India, Bangladesh stands at a political crossroads, facing unprecedented geopolitical pressures. An intriguing aspect of this shift is the waning interest of foreign lobbyists in Washington, particularly […]
M A Hossain The recent explosion of thousands of pagers across Lebanon is an alarming development that bears the hallmarks of Israeli involvement, potentially signaling an imminent military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. This tension has been mounting since Hezbollah’s recent engagement with Israeli forces, a direct response to Israel’s intensified military actions against Gaza following the deadly October 7 Hamas-led attack. The strategic aim behind targeting […]
M A HossainRussian President Vladimir Putin’s recent two-day state visit to Mongolia was not only a significant moment in the bilateral relations between Moscow and Ulaanbaatar, but also an event that resonated on the international stage. Mongolia, a nation that ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), became the subject of global attention due to its refusal to comply with the ICC’s warrant for […]
M A HossainAs the US presidential election approaches, Kamala Harris stands on the brink of making history. With approximately 70 days left in a compressed campaign, Harris is poised not only to become the first woman to ascend to the presidency but also to be the first president of Black and South Asian descent. Despite the significance of these firsts, Harris has made it clear that her […]

By Nantoo Banerjee The United States of America or the People’s Republic of China may have nothing much to do with the massive public demonstrations in Bangladesh that began last month over governmental job quotas forcing the fall of Sheikh Hasina as the country’s longest serving prime minister and her government. Sheikh Hasina had […]M A HossainRecent peace talks in Doha, Qatar, in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East have reignited a glimmer of hope of a temporary respite. Led by mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, these negotiations aim to broker a long-awaited ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, scepticism surrounds the talks, particularly because Hamas, the organization governing Gaza, is notably absent from the table. Hamas […]

By Arun Srivastava What has happened in Bangladesh was inevitable. It is extreme historical irony that Sheikh Hasina had to eventually flee Bangladesh, the country which was literally fathered by her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina, who once helped rescue Bangladesh from military rule and restore the democratic governance, has been primarily responsible for creation […]M A HossainAfter a recent rocket attack on a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, the question of whether the Middle East is on the verge of an all-out war has captured global attention. This attack, which resulted in the death of 12 people amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, has escalated tensions to a critical level. In response, Israeli forces carried out a drone strike in […]
M A HossainAs the European Union (EU) navigates through a turbulent political landscape, Ursula von der Leyen, the incumbent President of the European Commission, is fervently working to secure a second term. This pursuit is particularly challenging given the recent EU parliamentary elections, where her party, the European People’s Party (EPP), emerged as the leading group but faces significant opposition from a surging far-right. Von der Leyen’s […]
M A Hossain In a dramatic turn of events, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on June 3 acquitted the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the much-hyped cipher case while terminating their imprisonment sentences. The former prime minister has been acquitted of all charges in another two cases related to long march vandalism, leaving the nation in shock […]
M A HossainSouth Asian nations, bursting with diversity and contradictions, have long been a captivating subject for global journalism. Yet, despite their increasing importance on the world stage, Western media often miss the mark when it comes to accurately portraying these multifaceted and culturally rich countries. This discrepancy in coverage not only reflects a lack of understanding of the region’s complexities but also raises concerns about journalistic […]
M A HossainIn the vibrant heart of Riyadh, amidst its soaring skyline and lively thoroughfares, a momentous gathering of global leaders, policymakers, and influential business figures recently unfolded. The occasion? The World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting in the Kingdom-an event of profound significance, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s escalating prominence on the international platform and marking a pivotal juncture in the region’s course. As delegates from every corner of […]
M A HossainThe Bangladesh government has garnered significant experience in countering insurgency activities in the Chattagram Hill Tracts (CHT). Through operations like ‘Operation Dabanal’ the Bangladesh Armed Forces have effectively neutralized separatist armed groups. After the peace treaty, to date, ‘Operation Uttaron’ has aimed to uphold law and order and improve the living standards of the Jumma people.With over two decades of such operations, the resurgence of […]
M A HossainSince January 8, 2024, the ‘India Out’ movement is getting momentum in Bangladesh, basically at initiatives of popular online activist Pinaki Bhattacharya. Everyday dozens of Bangladeshis are joining this movement on social media platforms such as Facebook and X (former Twitter), while video-sharing platform YouTube is becoming a major source for Pinaki Bhattacharya and anti-India forces in expressing their anger at India’s hegemony and big […]



