Articles written by
M A Hossain

Multipolarity or Dependency? Russia’s Bid for African Allegiance

M. A. Hossain When Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, addressed the Liberation Movements Summit in South Africa on July 27, his message was as predictable as it was provocative: Russia stands with Africa in the fight against neocolonialism and envisions a multipolar world. Coming from a Kremlin official, this claim may appear noble at first glance—until one examines the underlying logic, […]

Gulf States in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Pragmatism Redrawing the Map

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 […]

Trump’s 50-Day Ultimatum: Ukraine Ceasefire or a New Trap?

M A Hossain Donald 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 […]

XI BRICS no show: Strategic shift or silent warning?

XI’s BICKS NO-SHOW: STRATEGIC SHIFT OR SILENT WARNING? CHINESE SYMBOLISM ON CONFIDENCE IN FULL PLAY M A Hossain In 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 […]

Zelenskyy’s Reckless Gambit: A Tactical Masterstroke That Threatens Strategic Collapse

M A Hossain By 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 […]

From NATO To Trade Wars: Lasting Impact Of Trump’s Transactional Diplomacy

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 […]

Student Body To Float New Political Party In Bangladesh By Month End

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 […]

Bangladesh’s Increasing Defence Relations With Pakistan Posing Threat To India

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 […]

Trump vs. Harris: What the 2025 US Election Means for the Global South

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, […]

How US Election Could Reshape Bangladesh’s Political Landscape 

M A Hossain The 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, […]

Technological Warfare in the Middle East

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 […]

Mongolia Visit Highlights Putin’s Strategic Moves and ICC Defiance

M A Hossain Russian 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 […]

Kamala Harris Campaign Surge: Shaping the Future of American Politics

M A Hossain As 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 […]

Sheikh Hasina Had Overstayed Her Welcome As Bangladesh Prime Minister

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 […]

Scepticism over over Doha parleys

M A Hossain Recent 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. […]

Peoples’ Uprising In Bangladesh Does Not Augur Well For India

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 […]

On the Edge: Will Middle East Tensions Trigger Global War?

M A Hossain After 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 […]

Centrist Coalition Challenges: Ursula von der Leyen’s Strategy Against Far-Right Gains

M A Hossain As 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 […]

Imran Khan’s Acquittal Exposes USA’s Failed Plot

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 […]

Western Media’s Bias Against South Asian Perspectives

M A Hossain South 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 […]

Saudi Arabia has a pivotal moment in its quest for global clout

 M A Hossain In 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 […]

Imperative of Action Against Dubious Kuki-Chin Armed Movement

M A Hossain The 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 […]

Is There A Significant Shift In Bangladesh-US Relations?

M. A. Hossain A dramatic shift in the United States’ stance is being observed after the January 7 general election in Bangladesh. The Biden administration consistently stressed the commencement of a free, fair, and participatory election throughout the electoral process. Since then, the dynamics of bilateral relations have gone through ups and downs. Recently, US President Joe Biden penned a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressing […]

‘India Out’ in Bangladesh; stone-cold silence of friends of India

M A Hossain Since 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 […]