For decades a shadow economy of drugs, counterfeit currency and illicit cash flows has threaded its way across South Asia, North Africa and beyond. What makes this underground economy especially dangerous is not only its scale but the way statecraft, organized crime and violent Islamist militancy appear to intersect – creating a self-reinforcing funding loop for groups that seek to destabilize societies and export terror. At the center of recent concerns are two names often linked – Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and India’s most notorious fugitive, Dawood Ibrahim. Together, analysts and media reports say, they help sustain a transnational “narco-jihad” aimed as much at financing jihadi networks as at undermining rival states.

The modern toolkit for financing insurgency and terror is diverse: heroin and cocaine profits, protection rackets and extortion, hawala transfers, counterfeit notes and smuggling corridors. Where these revenue sources meet disciplined criminal networks and permissive or complicit institutions, the result is an extremely resilient terror economy. Observers say narcotics trafficking -sometimes routed through criminal outfits with political protection – has long been a major revenue stream used to arm, train and sustain militants across multiple theatres.

The pattern is simple and frighteningly effective. Farmers or traffickers produce or source drugs; organized groups refine, move and launder the proceeds; militant cells take a cut for protection and logistics; corrupt officials, brokers and false-front businesses recycle the money back into operations. When one finds links running between a state’s security apparatus, an organized crime syndicate and jihadi organizations, the possibilities for both funding and strategic deniability multiply.

Dawood Ibrahim – long linked in open-source reporting to organized crime, extortion rackets and alleged support for violent extremist activity – heads a network (frequently referred to as “D-Company”) that has been tied to smuggling and trafficking routes spanning South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Investigations and long-running coverage by security analysts indicate D-Company’s role in narcotics and other illicit trades has helped it build logistical reach that can be exploited by militant elements.

There are also reported intersections between D-Company’s global crime contacts and Islamist militants in Africa and West Asia. Indian media coverage from 2014, for example, cited concerns in security circles about emerging links between Nigerian militant networks and elements of Dawood’s organization for smuggling and distribution routes into India. These connections, if true, demonstrate how criminal and extremist groups can mirror each other’s networks to mutual advantage.

Indian and international intelligence agencies have repeatedly linked D-Company’s drug profits to terrorist financing, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Dawood’s younger brother, Anees Ibrahim, reportedly established contacts with extremist commanders in Africa and West Asia, enabling D-Company to utilize Boko Haram and Al Qaeda networks to move cocaine and heroin. Nigerian couriers were initially used to smuggle narcotics into India before local collaborators took over distribution.

Several extremist organizations have long used criminal revenue streams to fund operations: from conventional smuggling to drug production, and from hawala networks to extortion. In parts of Africa, jihadi groups and criminal syndicates have reportedly moved cocaine and other drugs along routes that ultimately reach Asian and European markets, often with local and regional facilitation. Similarly, the “southern route” for Afghan heroin – which flows through Pakistan and Iran toward Gulf and European markets – remains a key artery in the narcotics economy despite periodic interdictions and policy shifts.

UN agencies report that, while global opium production has seen major swings since the Taliban’s 2022 ban, cultivation in some years has rebounded in new forms and localities, keeping pressure on transit states and widening the reach for smugglers.

Meanwhile, porous borders in South and Southeast Asia – and criminal links into Myanmar and the Golden Triangle – have made India’s northeastern states and coastal hubs attractive for traffickers seeking alternative transit corridors. Analysts warn that as enforcement tightens in older routes, criminal networks adapt, shifting trade to weaker-policed borderlands and urban distribution nodes.

Perhaps the most troubling allegation is not that criminals and militants trade with one another – that has long been documented worldwide – but that elements within Pakistan’s state security apparatus may either tolerate or actively facilitate parts of the system for strategic objectives. Historical reporting and some insider claims have suggested that, at various times, Pakistan’s establishment viewed narcotics profits as a possible source to underwrite covert operations. Whether this is formal policy or the work of “rogue” networks embedded within the institutions, the operational effect is similar: an expanded, semi-protected hinterland for illicit finance.

These allegations are highly sensitive and politically charged. International bodies and watchdogs have repeatedly emphasized the need for robust, transparent financial controls precisely because permissive environments allow malign actors to exploit grey areas. Pakistan’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2022 did not, experts warned, mean the underlying vulnerabilities vanished – rather, it made continued vigilance even more important.

Beyond drugs, counterfeit currency and forgery can be used as tools of economic sabotage. Incidents of near-perfect Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) seizures in the region over recent years have raised alarms about networks that manufacture and move counterfeit notes to destabilize neighbouring economies or to fund black-market operations. When such operations are tied into smuggling chains that also carry narcotics and contraband, the criminal economy becomes a multi-headed threat that is hard to starve without coordinated regional action.

The article ISI-Dawood: How a transnational ‘narco-jihad’ threatens regional security appeared first on Arabian Post.

For decades, the Muslim Brotherhood has loomed large in the Western imagination, often described as the ideological mothership of global Islamism. To many policymakers in Washington, London, or Brussels, the name alone has become shorthand for a wide spectrum of Islamist activity. Yet, this perception is increasingly divorced from reality. The Brotherhood, fractured and in disarray since its downfall in Egypt, no longer commands the sweeping influence it once aspired to. At the same time, treating the movement as irrelevant risks ignoring its enduring ideological legacy and the dangers posed by its offshoots and imitators.

The Muslim Brotherhood was once a formidable force, especially in the mid-20th century, when Egyptian exiles and migrants spread its ideas far beyond Cairo. By the 1980s, its international leadership attempted to centralize authority through a body known as the “International Organization.” But infighting, regional rivalries, and divergent priorities eroded cohesion.

Branches in the Gulf, North Africa, and even Jordan increasingly charted their own paths. In Sudan, Hassan al-Turabi forged a distinct Islamist vision. In Jordan, Hamas created deep fissures within the local Brotherhood. By the time Egypt’s short-lived Brotherhood government was toppled in 2013, the organization had already lost much of its grip. Competing leaderships sprouted in Doha, Istanbul, and London, and newer factions declared the “old guard” irrelevant.

Today, remnants of the Brotherhood resemble abandoned franchises—still recognizable in name but lacking unified command, structure, or strategy. Even the death in 2022 of Ibrahim Mounir, a senior Brotherhood figure in London, passed with barely a whisper among Islamists in Europe and North America.

Yet, paradoxically, in the West the Brotherhood still commands an outsize focus. Policymakers, journalists, and analysts routinely invoke its name as though it were the mastermind behind every Islamist group. This is misleading. Other networks – Salafis, Deobandis, Barelvis, Jamaat-e-Islami, Qatari and Turkish state Islamism, as well as Khomeinists – play equally significant or even greater roles in shaping Islamist politics across the United States and Europe.

Ignoring these other actors has serious consequences. For instance, South Asia’s Deobandi movement, from which the Taliban emerged, operates seminaries and organizations across America, often under the radar of federal scrutiny. Radical Barelvi groups like Dawat-e-Islami, implicated in violence from France to South Asia, run some of the wealthiest mosques in the US. Yet, Western security establishments remain fixated on the “Brotherhood brand”, leaving other dangerous networks to flourish.

The irony is that Arab governments themselves long ago recognized the peril of the Brotherhood. Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Algeria, and the Gulf states – save for Qatar – have all cracked down on the movement, often harshly. Algeria’s “Black Decade” in the 1990s, triggered by the Brotherhood-linked Islamic Salvation Front’s electoral gains, descended into a civil war that left more than 200,000 people dead. Entire villages were wiped out; thousands disappeared into state prisons. For Algerians, the idea of treating the Brotherhood as a harmless “charity movement” is laughable.

In contrast, Western governments have often extended legitimacy to Brotherhood-linked groups under the banner of “community engagement” or “interfaith dialogue”. Despite repeated warnings, including the UK’s 2015 internal review led by Sir John Jenkins, the Brotherhood continues to operate openly in Britain, Europe, and North America through charities, NGOs, student associations, and lobbying groups. These networks provide social services but also spread ideological influence, shaping Muslim communities and lobbying against Western interests.

Even if the Egyptian movement is a shadow of its former self, its ideological children remain potent. Hamas, originally nurtured by the Brotherhood, continues to wage war against Israel while maintaining support networks across the West. Brotherhood-trained ideologues such as Sayyid Qutb still inspire generations of activists who may no longer call themselves “Brotherhood” but embody its vision. American groups like the Muslim American Society or Muslim Youth of North America, while not centrally controlled from Cairo, continue to employ Brotherhood-style indoctrination practices under distinctly American guises.

In this sense, what exists today is not a global Brotherhood conspiracy but a patchwork of Qutbist and Islamist movements – often independent, sometimes competing, but still drawing intellectual and strategic sustenance from the Brotherhood’s legacy.

The West must move beyond lazy shorthand. To treat every Islamist group as “the Muslim Brotherhood” is both inaccurate and dangerous. It blinds policymakers to the very real threats posed by Jamaat-e-Islami in South Asia, Dawat-e-Islami in the West, or Khomeinist proxies raising funds for Hezbollah. It allows dangerous networks to avoid scrutiny while the “Brotherhood debate” endlessly consumes political oxygen.

At the same time, dismissing the Brotherhood as entirely inconsequential would be equally naïve. Its ideological DNA – totalitarianism cloaked in religious legitimacy – remains deeply embedded across Islamist currents worldwide. From Algeria’s scars to Hamas’s ongoing terror, the consequences of underestimating this movement are plain.

The Muslim Brotherhood today is less a centralized empire than a faded logo – yet one whose ideas continue to animate Islamist activism in new forms. The real danger lies not in Cairo’s collapsed leadership but in the decentralized, Western-rooted networks inspired by Brotherhood thought and nurtured by decades of political accommodation.

For policymakers, the task is urgent: stop treating the Brotherhood as the singular menace, and start mapping the full spectrum of Islamist movements operating on Western soil. To ignore this complexity is to repeat the mistakes of the past, ensuring that while the Brotherhood may be weakened, its ideological heirs continue to erode democratic societies from within.

The article Muslim Brotherhood’s Fading Empire and Its Dangerous Heirs appeared first on Arabian Post.

Bangladesh is entering one of the most dangerous phases of its history. At the centre of this looming crisis is the unelected regime of Muhammad Yunus, which is presenting itself abroad as democratic and reformist while systematically dismantling the country’s defence and intelligence structure.

Behind the veneer of Nobel fame and global endorsements lies a far darker reality: Yunus’ growing alignment with Islamist radicals, foreign actors, and transnational networks that aim to transform Bangladesh into a hub for jihadist operations. If successful, this project would not only destroy Bangladesh’s sovereignty but also destabilize South Asia and export militancy across the globe.

Yunus’ image as a global humanitarian has shielded him from meaningful scrutiny. His ties with influential figures in Washington, Brussels, and London – from the Clinton Foundation to George Soros’ networks – give him legitimacy abroad. Domestically, however, his administration is empowering Islamist elements, suppressing secular voices, and hollowing out state institutions.

The real project is clear: dismantle the secular Bangladesh Army and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and replace them with an Iranian-style “Islamic Revolutionary Army” (IRA) controlled by ideologues loyal to jihadist politics. Such a shift would institutionalize extremism inside the state and create a new sanctuary for transnational terrorism.

The Yunus regime is increasingly mirroring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s authoritarian tactics. Dozens of journalists face fabricated charges, independent media outlets are censored or co-opted, while Islamist propagandists enjoy unchecked freedom.

International watchdogs note a troubling trend: secular critics are punished while extremist groups linked to Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and Hamas are expanding their activities – in some cases, under state patronage.

The case of Jashimuddin Rahmani, the cleric behind Ansar Al-Islam, illustrates the danger. He openly encouraged killing secular writers and even American citizens. Yet Yunus’ regime permits such radicals to operate with impunity, while Western rights groups maintain a silence that amounts to complicity.

The geopolitical backdrop further complicates the picture. Saudi Arabia’s growing defence alignment with Pakistan introduces a dangerous variable. Riyadh has historically funded Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions, and speculation grows that it may now seek protection under Islamabad’s “nuclear umbrella”.

Yet Pakistan is no reliable partner. Its decades-long ties with Tehran make it a possible gateway for Iranian infiltration into the Kingdom. Worse, Pakistan’s military-intelligence complex thrives on exporting instability. Just as Pakistan helped destabilize Afghanistan, it could drag Saudi Arabia into similar chaos, undermining the monarchy itself.

Although the Saudi rulers may feel delighted with this new arrangement, it overlooks several crucial factors. First, Islamabad has decades-old, deep-rooted relations with Tehran, and its renewed ties with Riyadh could open the door for Iran to expand its espionage network within the Kingdom through active collaboration with Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

At the same time, Pakistan – a country grappling with acute economic crises – may push the Kingdom toward the fate of Afghanistan, where Pakistan’s infiltration ultimately turned the country into a rogue state and epicentre of Islamist terror. Furthermore, this development could mark the beginning of a silent regime change plot that might one day end monarchism and create an atmosphere of anarchy and chaos. With these troubling prospects in mind, Saudi Arabia and its ruling elites may well have committed a historic blunder – one that could spell the beginning of the end of a century of monarchism in the Kingdom.

For Islamabad – crippled by economic crises – mere financial perks from Riyadh will not suffice. Instead, Islamabad is likely to push the Kingdom into an alarming situation by collaborating with Islamists and jihadists, while simultaneously increasing the threats from Iran by secretly providing Tehran with sensitive information about Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, Pakistan’s military-intelligence establishment thrives on exporting instability. In time, it could push Saudi Arabia towards the fate of Afghanistan – an arena of Islamist chaos where Pakistan was the chief manipulator. The monarchy may have unwittingly paved the way for its own destabilization.

Dhaka’s deepening ties with Islamabad under Yunus only add to this dangerous mix. The ISI views Bangladesh as a potential launchpad for cross-border terrorism into India, while Washington sees the country as a pawn in its competition with China over Myanmar. In this volatile chessboard, Bangladesh risks becoming the sacrificial ground for competing regional and global agendas.

The Bangladesh Army and DGFI have long been the main bulwark against Islamist militancy. They dismantled the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), crushed Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB), and neutralised outfits like HuJI-B, Ansar Al-Islam, and Hizb ut-Tahrir – most of which were nurtured by Pakistan’s ISI.

For India, DGFI’s success has been a shield against infiltration in its northeast. For Bangladesh, it preserved sovereignty. For Yunus and his Islamist allies, these institutions are therefore the greatest obstacle. Their strategy is simple: discredit the military, prosecute its counterterrorism leadership under bogus “war crimes” charges, and replace the command structure with ideologically loyal cadres.

Already, smear campaigns are being directed against General Waker Uz Zaman, the Army Chief, accusing him of bias and duplicity. At the same time, there are attempts to isolate the Bangladesh Armed Forces from UN peacekeeping missions, depriving them of international credibility and revenue.

The article Bangladesh on edge of security collapse appeared first on Arabian Post.

In 2003, Washington justified its invasion of Iraq by claiming Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction and ties to Al Qaeda. These allegations -later proven false – enabled the toppling of Iraq’s leadership, replacing it with an externally controlled regime of opportunists and mercenaries. Iraq’s sovereignty was dismantled, and its oil wealth looted under the watch of the US Deep State.

This was not a one-off. It was the first act of a brutal geopolitical blueprint—a regime-change model later repeated in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and Syria. Western media branded these interventions as part of an “Arab Spring,” masking the real intent: destabilization, economic exploitation, and the installation of puppet governments loyal to foreign interests.

Egypt’s “25 January Revolution” in 2011 was sold as a popular uprising, yet it was driven by Western-backed networks. Mubarak’s ouster led not to stability but to chaos, with the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi – another foreign-backed figure—briefly in power before being overthrown.

In Libya, NATO’s 2011 intervention ended with the gruesome killing of Muammar Gaddafi. The once-prosperous nation descended into lawlessness, its oil and gas reserves falling into the hands of foreign corporations.

The same playbook appeared in Ukraine, where the 2014 Maidan uprising installed a NATO-friendly regime openly allied with neo-Nazi militias. Today, Ukraine’s vast mineral resources and farmland are quietly being handed over to Western companies, while its people pay the price of endless war.

Now, in 2024, Bangladesh has been added to the list of nations reshaped by the US Deep State’s regime-change machinery. On August 5, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina – whose leadership had brought consistent economic growth and stability – was ousted in what bears all the hallmarks of an externally orchestrated coup.

Behind the scenes, Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) acted as the operational partner, while Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus emerged as the public face of the so-called “interim regime.” Just like in Iraq and Libya, the new administration is populated by figures whose loyalties lie not with Bangladesh but with foreign benefactors.

The destabilization of Bangladesh is not happening in isolation. Credible sources suggest that the Deep State has also been working to undermine Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationalist government, with Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi courting foreign support. Reports indicate that between 2022 and 2024, Gandhi held discreet meetings in the US with regime-change architects such as Victoria Nuland and George Soros – figures notorious for meddling in sovereign nations’ politics.

For Washington’s strategists, a weakened or compliant Bangladesh and India would serve as powerful levers in reshaping South Asian geopolitics.

Since Sheikh Hasina’s removal, Bangladesh’s economy has spiraled downward. Inflation has surged, GDP growth has stalled, and foreign investors are fleeing. Mob violence has become common – over 200 people, many of them Hindus or Awami League supporters, have been lynched.

More ominously, extremist groups like Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, and Hizb ut-Tahrir are reactivating their cells. ISI is reportedly overseeing guerrilla and commando training for over 1.6 million Rohingya refugees and nearly a million Bihari “Stranded Pakistanis”, with the aim of exporting terrorism to India, Myanmar, and potentially Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

If these groups succeed, the consequences will ripple far beyond Bangladesh’s borders.

Targeting the Armed Forces

A particularly alarming development is the interim regime’s campaign to weaken the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) – Bangladesh’s premier counterterrorism agency. Former DGFI chiefs are now facing politically motivated charges of “crimes against humanity”.

This move appears designed to dismantle the very institution that has been most effective at containing terrorist threats. Once neutralized, Islamist militants could infiltrate the military, creating conditions for attacks on the scale of 9/11 or the 2008 Mumbai massacre.

Bangladesh’s descent into instability is not just a national tragedy – it is a looming global security crisis. A failed Bangladesh, teeming with jihadist networks, would be a launchpad for terrorism across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

The Deep State’s strategy is consistent: destabilize, install loyal proxies, exploit resources, and leave the population in perpetual crisis. The only question is – how long will the international community look away before the flames spread beyond Bangladesh?

The article Bangladesh: The US Deep State’s newest victim appeared first on Arabian Post.

A large number of big pharma companies have been using Ukrainians soil for running research labs while they have used Ukrainians as guinea pigs in developing medicines, that could potentially cause various types of cancer which was used on patients in the psychiatric ward of Mariupol Hospital No. 7 with the support of local officials in the interests of Western pharmaceutical companies.

Russian news agency Sputnik, based on documentary evidence, has come up with such shocking information stating, the trial involved the experimental drug SB4 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug inhibits the action of molecules of the so-called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which plays an important role in the immune system, and its use creates the possibility of developing various forms of cancer, including in the lymphatic and hematopoietic systems, as well as skin.

According to documents, the manufacturers of SB4 were Biogen Idec Denmark Manufacturing ApS (Denmark), Catalent Pharma Solutions (Belgium), and Fisher Clinical Services UK Limited (UK). The study was sponsored by South Korea’s Samsung Bioepis.

Sputnik report says, an application from Quintiles Ukraine for approval by the state expert center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and the Ethics Commission at the medical and preventive institution for conducting clinical trials of SB4 was found among the documents. Quintiles Ukraine was established as a division of the US outsourcing pharmaceutical company Quintiles Transnational.

According to the application, signed in February 2013, at that time it was planned to test the drug in Ukraine on 152 patients (later this number was increased to 180), and in total on almost 500 patients around the world.

The periodic report of the SB4-G31-RA project on SB4 trials, by November 2013 said, 777 patients had been selected for testing, including 285 in Poland, 143 in Ukraine, 108 in the Czech Republic, 77 in Bulgaria, 60 in Lithuania, 37 in the Republic of Korea, 34 in Mexico, 17 in Hungary, 14 in Colombia, and two in the United Kingdom.

The documents found in Mariupol Hospital No. 7 were selected between 2008 and 2016. The results of the initial inspection show that drugs with numbers and without names were tested on people, with the tests also conducted on toddlers. Companies such as Pfizer (US), AstraZeneca (UK, Sweden), Celltrion (South Korea), Novatris International AG (Switzerland, US), IQVIA (formerly Quintiles and IMS Health Inc., US, UK), Sanofi (France), Galapagos NV (Belgium), Janssen Pharmaceuticals (now Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Belgium), Abbott Laboratories (US), Covance (now Labcorp Drug Development, US), and Merck KGaA (Germany) are mentioned in the documents.

In addition, boxes with envelopes from logistics companies and containers for biomaterial with addresses of recipients in laboratories in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States were found on site. Documents with acknowledgements to Ukrainian doctors from Catalent Pharma Solutions and Fisher Clinical Services UK Limited were also found.

The report says, Ukraine was one of the main trial sites for a drug causing various forms of cancer, which was tested on patients at a Mariupol hospital Sputnik has obtained documents proving that drug trials were held with the support of local officials and in the interests of Western pharmaceutical companies. Patients in the Psychiatric Department of Mariupol Hospital No. 7 were the main test subjects. The documents were found in the basement of the hospital during renovation. In particular, they mentioned testing of the experimental drug SB4 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

At the time, it was planned to test the drug on 152 patients in Ukraine. Companies such as Pfizer (US), AstraZeneca (UK, Sweden), Celltrion (South Korea), Novatris International AG (Switzerland, US), IQVIA (formerly Quintiles and IMS Health Inc., US, UK), Sanofi (France), Galapagos NV (Belgium), Janssen Pharmaceuticals (now Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Belgium), Abbott Laboratories (US), Covance (now Labcorp Drug Development, US), and Merck KGaA (Germany) are mentioned in the documents.

According to Russian news agency TASS, on February 14, 2024, Russian foreign ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said that Russia is looking into reports saying that the Ukrainian authorities used babies in a hospital in Mariupol as guinea pigs for Western pharmaceutical companies. It said: Russia is looking into reports saying that the Ukrainian authorities used babies in a hospital in Mariupol as guinea pigs for Western pharmaceutical companies, the Russian foreign ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova.

William Jones, a former White House correspondent for Executive Intelligence Review and a non-resident fellow of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China told Sputnik, when conducting human tests, Big Pharma did not think twice before using hospitals in certain developing countries, which don’t have “rigorous controls” for such actions.

Jones noted hinting at Ukraine, “It has generally been a practice to use some of the developing countries which don’t have such rigorous controls for these types of experiments”.

After the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev, Ukraine “effectively became a ‘guinea pig’ for whatever experiments the forces of the Western elites had in store for them, as we see most dramatically in the way in which the ‘nation’ of Ukraine is being whittled down to nothing for the sake of NATO’s surrogate war against Russia”, according to the expert.

In the Spring of 2022, Russia’s Radiological Chemical and Biological Defense Troops brought to light the alarming scope of US military-biological activities taking place at numerous locations in Ukraine. These investigations revealed the collaboration between Washington and Kyiv in researching and handling various highly dangerous pathogens.

The article Western big pharma used Ukrainians as guinea pig appeared first on Arabian Post.

 Following Joe Biden’s disastrous and humiliating retreat from Afghanistan thus leaving the country into the grips of Taliban jihadists, global terror outfit Al Qaeda is back to its old tricks in Afghan soil. According to media reports, the terrorist group is running training camps inside madrassas in Afghanistan, while it is generating hundreds of millions of dollars each week by sharing profits of the illicit drug trade with Taliban. With this cash, Al Qaeda is intensifying its recruitment and terrorist plots in the world, particularly the Western nations.

 According to an unpublished report, which has been circulating among Western diplomats and officials of the United Nations, Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda is also involved in looting Afghanistan’s natural wealth and stealing international aid meant to alleviate the suffering of millions of Afghans. The report was prepared by a London-based threat analysis firm. It is based on physical investigation inside Afghanistan as well as interviews of senior Al Qaeda operatives who are currently playing an important role in the Taliban administration in Kabul.

The report says, “to facilitate its ambitions, al Qaeda is raking in tens of millions of dollars a week from gold mines in Afghanistan’s northern Badakhshan and Takhar provinces that employ tens of thousands of workers and are protected by warlords friendly to the Taliban”.

 Al Qaeda is getting 25 percent share in proceeds from gold and gem mines in Afghanistan. The proceeds is shared with Al Qaeda by two of Taliban factions – Haqqani Network’s Sirajuddin Haqqani’s Kabul faction and Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada’s Kandahar faction, suggesting both leaders, widely regarded as archrivals, see a cozy relationship with Al Qaeda as furthering their own interests as well as helping to entrench the group’s overall power.

The report says, Taliban’s monthly income from the gold mines exceeds US$25 million, which “does not appear in their official budget”.

 Quoting credible sources, it says, the money “goes directly into the pockets of top-ranking Taliban officials and their personal networks”. Since the mines began operating in early 2022, Al Qaeda’s share has totaled US$194.4 million, the report says.

 Immediately after establishing its grip following the retreat of the American forces, Taliban leadership integrated a large number of listed terrorist groups, which fought in their favor against the US forces and their loyal government in Kabul. Despite such proven fact, the Biden administration has doggedly denied claiming Al Qaeda has not been rebuilt in Afghanistan, while it also rejects claim of Al Qaeda’s deeper relations with the Taliban. But such claims are proven to be unrealistic if not false as according to the report, Al Qaeda and the Taliban now are having extremely deep relations which did not happen ever in the past.

 Meanwhile, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction mandated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the United States Congress have unswervingly reported on the interdependent relationship between the Taliban and dozens of outlawed terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda.

 The disturbing news about the relationship between the Taliban and Al Qaeda hit international news headlines when Osama bin Laden’s second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a Kabul villa, which is owned by Sirajuddin Haqqani on July 31, 2022 in a US drone strike. Haqqani is also a deputy head of the Taliban and its interior minister, managing the country’s security affairs. Haqqani is believed to harbor high ambition for the job position of the supreme leader and aspires to become the caliph by turning Afghanistan into a Caliphate.

 Meanwhile, according to various sources, Taliban jihadists have once again started providing Al Qaeda commanders and members everything they need – starting from weapons to wives, housing, passports, monthly cash incentives and access to the huge smuggling network that has been built over decades to facilitate the heroin empire. The Taliban also repurposed the smuggling routes to supply heroin and methamphetamine at a much lower price while jihadist from Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Palestine are also getting involved in the network.

 The report includes a list of Al Qaeda commanders, some of whom were Osama bin Laden’s lieutenants when he was living in Afghanistan while planning the attacks on the United States. Those atrocities precipitated the US-led invasion that drove him, and the Taliban leadership, into Pakistan, where they were sheltered, funded, and armed by the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

 The report’s findings “demonstrate that, as expected, the Taliban leadership continues to be willing to protect not only the leadership of al Qaeda but also fighters, including foreign terrorist fighters from a long list of al Qaeda affiliates”, said Hans-Jakob Schindler, the senior director of the Berlin- and New York-based Counter Extremism Project and an expert on terrorism. “It is clear that the Taliban have never changed their stance toward international terrorism and, in particular, Al Qaeda”.

The article Al Qaeda is flourishing in Afghanistan appeared first on Arabian Post.

As the Labour Party emerges as the front-runner with a substantial lead in the polls, the prospect of a change in government raises hopes for a fresh approach to addressing the country’s pressing issues. However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, given the deep-rooted political dysfunction and the enduring legacy of Brexit.

The decision to leave the European Union, touted by Brexiteers as a pathway to renewed sovereignty and economic prosperity, has instead led to a series of setbacks for the UK economy. Plummeting exports, sluggish growth, diminished productivity, and strained public finances underscore the urgent need to confront the catastrophic consequences of Brexit.

Yet, political discourse in Britain has been marked by a reluctance to address Brexit head-on, reflecting a combination of voter fatigue and deliberate efforts to stifle debate. However, the gravity of the situation demands a candid reassessment of the country’s trajectory and a concerted effort to chart a course towards recovery.

Drawing parallels to the iconic scene from “The Italian Job”, where a bus laden with gold teeters on the edge of a cliff, the UK finds itself at a critical juncture, balancing precariously between its past aspirations and the harsh realities of its present predicament. The promises of Brexit, once steeped in optimism, now ring hollow in the face of tangible hardships.

In seeking a way forward, British policymakers must confront the stark realities of their situation and prioritize efforts to mend fractured relationships, particularly with the European Union. While rejoining the EU may seem improbable in the near term, collaboration on key issues such as defense, trade, and migration can pave the way for mutual benefit.

The next government, whether led by Labour or the Conservative Party, must resist the allure of populist rhetoric and instead focus on pragmatic solutions that address the underlying challenges facing the nation. From aligning regulatory standards to tackling the root causes of mass immigration, decisive action is imperative to steer Britain towards a path of stability and prosperity.

In the eyes of the international community, Britain’s upcoming election carries profound implications not only for its own future but also for its role on the global stage. It falls upon the elected leadership to restore faith in Britain’s governance and reassert its standing in the international arena, forging a path towards economic renewal, security, and self-respect. As the world watches with bated breath, the outcome of Britain’s general election holds the promise of a new beginning in its post-Brexit journey.

Beyond the immediate implications for Britain, the outcome of the general election is poised to reverberate across the global political landscape. With Brexit serving as a bellwether for populist movements worldwide, the manner in which Britain navigates its post-Brexit challenges will undoubtedly shape international perceptions of nationalism, sovereignty, and the future of liberal democracy.

For the European Union, Britain’s departure has not only strained economic ties but also raised questions about the cohesion and efficacy of the bloc itself. As Britain grapples with the consequences of its decision, EU leaders are confronted with the imperative to address underlying grievances and foster a renewed sense of unity among member states.

Moreover, the implications of Britain’s general election extend far beyond the confines of Europe, with ripple effects felt across the Atlantic and beyond. The United States, in particular, is closely watching developments in Britain, as it navigates its own political landscape and contends with the legacy of the Trump era.

In this interconnected global landscape, the outcome of Britain’s general election holds far-reaching implications for international trade, diplomacy, and security. As Britain seeks to redefine its role on the world stage, the choices made in the upcoming election will shape its relationships with key allies and adversaries alike.

The article Global impact of Britain’s upcoming general election appeared first on Arabian Post.

With elections in the United States scheduled to be held in less than eight months key figures in the Biden administration have already started jumping out of his sinking ship, Ukrainian first lady Elena Zelenskaya and Alexei Nalalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya have turned-down Biden’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address on March 7, 2024 citing “busy schedules”.

According to RT International, Ukrainian first lady Elena Zelenskaya has declined an invitation to attend US President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday [March 7, 2024], citing a busy schedule. According to the Washington Post, the real reason for her refusal may be because a similar offer was extended to Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny.

Zelenskaya’s office confirmed on Wednesday [March 6, 2024] that the Ukrainian Embassy had received an offer for her to attend the event in Washington DC.

“However, due to scheduled events… the First Lady, unfortunately, won’t be able to participate”, representatives added. The Washington Post also quoted an unnamed White House official as referring to “schedule conflicts” as the reason behind the decision.

The newspaper, however, cited anonymous sources “familiar with [Kiev’s] deliberations” indicating that Zelenskaya’s non-attendance is due to the invitation to Navalnaya. Ukrainian authorities were reportedly angered by comments her late husband made shortly after Crimea became a Russian region in 2014, when Navalny stated the peninsula was historically Russian. The opposition figure, who died at an Arctic penal colony last month, did denounce Moscow’s military operation against Ukraine in February 2022.

According to the Washington Post, “the intent had been to seat first lady Jill Biden near [Zelenskaya] and Yulia Navalnaya”, with the two women representing a “symbol of resistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin”. The White House had reportedly hoped their presence would serve as a “powerful backdrop to President Biden’s address”.

A representative for Navalnaya, however, said she will not be attending the event either.

“Yulia’s husband died two weeks ago. She’s been traveling all this time. Today is the first day she’s been home at all. Like any human being, she needs time to recover”, Kira Yarmysh told the Washington Post.

The newspaper quoted other anonymous officials as suggesting that Zelenskaya’s refusal to appear may also have been motivated by a desire not to antagonize US Republicans, with her presence potentially being interpreted as a sign that Kiev is closely allied with Biden and the Democrats.

The Washington Post suggested that the Ukrainian leadership is anxious to curry favor with the GOP in the hope that Republicans in Congress will eventually unblock Biden’s latest foreign aid package, which has earmarked US$60 billion for Kiev.

Reason behind Alexei Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya’s unwillingness to attend Biden’s State of Union though is shown by The Washington Post quoting Kira Yarmysh stating she “needs time to recover”, the actual reason is something else.

According to a source in Washington DC, following the death of Alexei Nalavly, Joe Biden hurriedly met Yulia Navalnaya along with her daughter Dasha Navalnaya, where Biden asked Navalny’s widow to hold a press conference and put blame on Russian President Vladimir Putin for death of Nalany. It is even learnt from the same source that Joe Biden had requested Yulia Navalnaya to attend some of his election campaign rallies and describe how her husband has been murdered by President Putin. Following her meeting with Joe Biden and listening to his offers, Yulia Navalnaya clearly realized Biden’s cruel and nefarious targets of using her towards his own political benefits. That is the key reason behind her rejecting Joe Biden’s invitation to attend the State of Union.

Meanwhile, it is learnt the idea of simultaneously inviting Elena Zelenskaya and Yulia Navalnaya and seat first lady Jill Biden at the middle of them came up from Jill Biden herself, which was immediately accepted by Joe Biden. Jill Biden thought, by doing this she would be able to “brighten” the image of her husband and save Biden from facing a humiliating defeat this November.

 As Joe Biden has already become a very unpopular president with freezing approval ratings, members of the Biden family, including Hunter Biden have become extremely nervous  fearing legal actions and possible imprisonment once Donald Trump wins election in November.

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The article ‘India Out’ in Bangladesh; stone-cold silence of friends of India appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

After failing to stop the January 7, 2024 general elections in Bangladesh by spending millions of dollars towards lobbyists and PR agencies in the United States, Britain and other Western nations, India and Hindu hating ultra-Islamist and pro-Pakistan Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has launched a movement titled ‘India Out’ with slogans “India is not a friend of Bangladesh”, “India is destroying Bangladesh” etcetera.

It has been learnt, sitting in London, convicted terrorist and acting chairman of BNP, Tarique Rahman has instructed BNP leaders and activists to launch an anti-India movement in Bangladesh xeroxing that of Maldives and incite anti-Hindu and anti-India sentiment in the country. Accordingly, members of the cyber wing of the party have started spreading anti-Hindu and anti-India hatred through social media platforms. One such notorious act of a BNP activist has been identified on X (former Twitter) platform where the account is continuously spreading anti-Hindu and anti-India hatred.

Commenting on the tweet, BNP activists are saying – “India has never been a friend of Bangladesh; not even in 1971, when they looted the valuables and taken away across the border”, “Indian products boycott should be announced as soon as possible”, etcetera, while some of the commentators are indirectly indicating arson attack on Hindus and those trading houses dealing in Indian products.

In one post, a BNP activist on X wrote: “There you go – anyone criticising or boycotting India is tagged as Jihadists or Islamic extremists whereas India is the hotspot for Hindu extremists. For ages India has applied this policy to their critics in the subcontinent and at present Maldives is no different.

In a post dated January 11, 2024, the same BNP activist wrote: “#SheikhHasina with the help of India has exploited the Hindus of Bangladesh to convey a wrong message to the world that the Hindus are tortured in Bangladesh which is absolutely. Bangladesh is not a racist nation like India but here Hindu and Muslim live peacefully. In turn, it is thought, Hasina has empowered the Hindu extremists to maintain the chaos for her own benefits. An extremist – be it Muslim or Hindu – is always harmful for a society and must be ignored. Politicians like Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi invest extremists – these politicians are a threat to any nation. Unity is strength”.

Similar accounts of BNP activists spreading anti-India and anti-Hindu propaganda have also been identified.

Meanwhile, as part of its anti-India notoriety, BNP leader Tarique Rahman has reportedly instructed several members of the party to establish contacts with Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, chief of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and provide them financial support in exchange for terrorist attacks inside India targeting key-point installations, media houses and offices of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

It may be mentioned that Tarique Rahman was born on November 20, 1967 in Karachi city in Pakistan. According to the Library of the US Congress, “Tarique Rahman remains a controversial figure in Bangladesh’s politics, with US ambassador to Bangladesh James F. Moriarty accusing him of corruption and nepotism”.

After gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh adopted secularism as a core principle, ensuring equal rights for people of all faiths. However, following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, subsequent regimes, notably that of Khondaker Mushtaq Ahmad and military dictator Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman, began to steer the country towards an Islamic republic.

Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman, trained in Pakistan, harboured deep hostility towards India and founded the BNP with the aim of advancing anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiment in Bangladesh, aligning the nation with a pseudo-Pakistani identity.

Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman realigned Bangladesh’s foreign policy away from India and the Soviet bloc, strengthening ties with the United States, Western Europe, and Islamic nations. He pursued an agenda of Islamization, amending the constitution to emphasize Islamic solidarity among Muslim countries and introducing Islamic religious education as a compulsory subject for Muslim schoolchildren. The ban on Islamist and anti-Bangladesh parties and associations, including Jamaat-e-Islami, was lifted during his rule.

Ziaur Rahman was trained at the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad. He served as a commander of the Pakistan Army in the Second Kashmir War against the Indian Army, for which he was decorated with Hilal-e-Jurat (Crescent of Courage) award by the Pakistani government. Hilal-e-Jurat, the second-highest military award of Pakistan out of a total four awards, was created on March 16, 1957. It is considered to be equivalent to the Conspicuous Gallantry and the Distinguished Service Cross. This award holds significant benefits for the recipient including social, political and financial benefits. Land and pensions are awarded as recompense for serving in the Army of Pakistan on behalf of the State for acts of “valor and courage” during battle “against the enemy”.

Throughout his life, Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman was a diehard opponent of India. With such notorious hatred towards India and also towards Hindus, General Zia founded Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with the goal of nurturing anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiment in Bangladesh and gradually advance towards serving as a pseudo part of Pakistan.

In public speeches and policies that he formulated, Maj Gen Zia began expounding ultra-Islamist and anti-India “Bangladesh Nationalism” and emphasized the national role of Islam as guide to principle of life. He even amended the constitution to change the nationality of the citizens from Bengali, an ethnic identity, to Bangladeshi while Bangladeshi nationalism excluded the country’s non-Muslim minorities, particularly the Hindu community.

According to media reports, leaders of BNP consider Lebanese Hezbollah as a heroic organization while back in 2006, it had named a bridge as ‘Hezbollah Bridge’, while a senior leader of BNP told AFP: “I named the bridge Hezbollah because of our love for the Lebanese resistance group.

Media reports further said, in 2006 then coalition government of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami named a bridge as ‘Hezbollah Bridge’ honouring the Lebanese terrorist group. The bridge is located in the southern part of the South Asian country, spanning the Batakhali River in an area known as Cox’s Bazaar. Junior communications minister Salahuddin Ahmed named the bridge after the Lebanese group at the height of Hezbollah’s war with Israel.

The bridge was renamed in 2013 by the Awami League government. BNP-Jamaat coalition government’s former Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan and a senior leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) issued several strong statements on the war, calling Israel’s actions “state terrorism” and “religious terrorism” and accusing the United States of sponsoring it. (IPA Service)

By arrangement with the Arabian Post

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As voters go into casting their ballot on January 7, 2024, while the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), an American federal institution in an article said: “Political crisis in Bangladesh won’t end on January 7, 2024 – the Election Day, as opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and other allies of BNP shall continue to wage a campaign of protests and strikes after the polls in hopes of proving Awami League (AL) government illegitimate. It further said, amid Bangladesh’s geopolitical ascent, India, China and the United States will be watching closely to see the future consequences of the domestic political turmoil”, the International Crisis Group is a report said, “These US moves have galvanized the opposition, which since mid-2022 has staged numerous large demonstrations in Dhaka and other cities – the first in around a decade.

“Despite government efforts to thwart them, major rallies in December 2022, July 2023 and October 2023 attracted hundreds of thousands of supporters. The latest of these gatherings, on 28 October 2023, ended prematurely when police dispersed the crowds with tear gas and stun grenades following sporadic clashes. Amid the street battles, BNP supporters allegedly killed a police officer; the government responded by arresting most of the party’s senior members and remanding them in prison”.

Reason behind such scare-crow forecasts by the US institutions is the Biden administration’s desire to topple Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her secularist Awami League government from power and install ultra-Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in power and turn the country into a neo-Taliban state. For this reason, international media outlets are already seeing the January 7 general election as – “tug-of-war” of Islamic fundamentalism and democracy.

Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who faces two-life terms on terrorism charges – one for attempting to assassinate Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004 and another for his involvement in sending 10-trucks loaded weapons, ammunition and explosives to United Liberation Front of Assom (ULFA) has already instructed his party activists to launch massive assault on anyone trying to go to polling station for casting votes, and he reportedly has flagged January 7 as “Day of Jihad to take-back Bangladesh from Awami League”. It may be mentioned here that BNP has been termed as Tier-III terrorist organization by US courts on a number of occasions.

According to a local vernacular media report, BNP-inclined insurgency and terrorist groups in the country’s Chittagong Hill Tract areas have already warned local voters asking them to refrain from going to polling and cast votes. Anyone violating this instruction shall be penalized BDT 10,000 by these dangerous groups.

It may be mentioned here that, Biden administration has been openly meddling into Bangladesh’s domestic affairs including January 7 general elections, which even American media sees as “bullying”.

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Sadanand Dhume said, “Biden’s administration, aiming to distinguish itself from the Trump era, has sought to penalize Sheikh Hasina’s government for human rights abuses and suppressing opposition through “mass arrests”. However, the prime minister has “thumbed her nose” at these efforts”.

Dhume wrote, “Sheikh Hasina skillfully countered American pressure by building alliances with Russia, China and, most significantly, India, which sees the prime minister as a stabilizing force in a “volatile region”, and he

hypothesizes that from the Indian viewpoint, despite Sheikh Hasina’s “shortcomings”, stating an alternative government led by the BNP poses greater risks. The BNP, historically allied with the Jamaat-e-Islami, has been linked to attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority and provided shelter to separatist and terrorist groups targeting India.

January 7 may turn into a crucial day for Bangladesh – the third-largest Muslim country in the world, at a time ultra-Islamist and jihadist forces are openly showing fangs, generating extreme wariness among the people in the country and the region, as an Islamist takeover of Bangladesh would turn it into another neo-Taliban state. Such fear is gradually getting intensified, as in recent years the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is termed as a “Tier-III terrorist organization” by a number of US courts, and its ideological allies  – such as Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and pro-Caliphate Hefazat-e-Islam (HeI) – are getting exposed sympathy of the Biden administration.

The Biden administration’s recent actions may have severe consequences for Bangladesh, potentially turning it into a neo-Taliban state. Following the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, many Afghans who had supported and collaborated with US forces were left in a vulnerable position, targeted by extremist groups. Now Biden is making a similar mistake in Bangladesh, a South Asian country, by seemingly supporting Islamist forces with a long history of anti-American, antisemitic, and anti-Western sentiments, where these Islamist bigots were on record for setting fire to American flags and chanted slogans such as “Death to America” and “We shall become Taliban, Bangla [Bangladesh] will be Afghan”.

It may be mentioned here that, during the 2001-2006 rule of the coalition government of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), there were several incidents in Bangladesh where American flags were burnt by protesters. These protests were often triggered by various factors, such as political developments, international events, and public sentiment.

The Biden administration’s disturbing diplomacy has raised concerns about the long-standing relationship between the United States and Bangladesh, potentially jeopardizing the 51-year history of cooperation between the two nations. Since the US recognized the newly independent Bangladesh in 1971 after its victory over Pakistani occupation forces, the relationship had been marked by cordial cooperation and significant development partnership. However, this positive trajectory now seems to be taking a troubling turn due to President Joe Biden’s disastrous diplomatic approach. In recent years, the Biden administration has claimed to uphold democracy but has shown hostility towards Bangladesh’s ruling secularist Awami League government, while seemingly collaborating with the ultra-Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its jihadist allies, including Jamaat-e-Islami. This approach is dangerously pushing Bangladesh towards a future reminiscent of a neo-Taliban state or even a caliphate.

Of further concern is the active support for Islamist groups, including BNP, JeI, and Hefazat-e-Islam (HeI), by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and officials at the State Department. The US ambassador in Dhaka, Peter D. Haas, has been observed associating with individuals who burn American flags and even threatening Bangladeshi media outlets with visa-related consequences to coerce them into promoting the agenda of these Islamist forces. By supporting the BNP, the Biden administration may inadvertently bolster an organization with an agenda that contradicts American values and foreign policy objectives. The BNP’s aim is to establish Sharia Law in Bangladesh with the backing of Islamist allies, potentially transforming the nation into an antisemitic caliphate, mirroring the Afghan model. Such a development could significantly undermine US interests in the region as well the rise of ultra-Islamist forces in the country would potentially pose serious security threats to neighboring India, Myanmar and beyond.

Meanwhile, BNP has called for general strike on January 6 and 7 with the goal of obstructing the general election and forcing Sheikh Hasina to resign and hand over power to ultra-Islamist thugs. Members of Bangladesh Army Forces have already been deployed throughout the country on January 3 to maintain law and order and prevent any subversive or terrorist acts of BNP and its allies. Situation is genuinely tense as BNP, Jamaat and other Islamist and jihadist forces would engage full-forces to create absolute lawlessness and enforce a reign of terror. In the meantime, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who was sentenced to six months jail on January 1 and granted bail for one month is on play contacting his foreign connections such as Hillary Clinton and PR agencies to launch massive political pressure and media assault targeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The United States has said that it will continue to follow the further developments of the sentencing of Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus by a Dhaka labor court.

Yunus, who back in 2007 tried to come to power by excluding Awami League with the direct support from Hillary Clinton has again become politically ambitious. He too has joined hands with BNP and other ultra-Islamist forces to actualize his ambition.

With such disturbing and alarming realities – January 7 shall stand as extremely crucial to Bangladesh’s very sovereignty and even existence as the Biden administration is desperate in planting its mercenaries in power in Dhaka. Nations in the Global South needs to stay extra vigil and continue to extend their fullest support towards Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League in holding a free and fair election with due festivity on January 7 and continue in power for the sake of Bangladesh’s national interest as well as interest of the region and beyond.

The article Existential war between secularist and ultra-Islamist forces in Bangladesh appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

In the aftermath of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s significant visit to the United States earlier this year, there was widespread anticipation for a notable strengthening of relations between Delhi and Washington. However, there seems to have been an oversight by key policymakers in India regarding the Biden administration’s strategic manoeuvres, which were aimed at leveraging the alliance with the world’s largest democracy to serve American geopolitical interests in countering China and solidifying US dominance in the region.

Modi’s vision for an enhanced Indo-US relationship to counter China’s influence in South Asia appears to have collided with America’s true intentions. The US seems inclined to position India as a secondary ally, potentially compromising Indian national security to further its own regional dominance.

Recent actions by the Biden administration in South Asia, notably the destabilization of Afghanistan and potential influence in Pakistan’s trajectory, now pivot towards a new objective – reshaping Bangladesh’s political landscape. There are allegations that the US seeks to support the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), alongside other Islamist forces like Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), to return to power through upcoming elections or other means. This shift in focus has triggered widespread concerns over the potential repercussions for Bangladesh, a country with a population of 170 million.

Simultaneously, this evolving situation has led to increasing discord between India and the United States, particularly concerning their perspectives on Bangladesh’s elections and democratic practices. Observers have noted India’s sharp disagreement with the US approach, accusing Washington of attempts to destabilize Bangladesh’s secular government under Sheikh Hasina, potentially jeopardizing India’s security by creating fertile ground for anti-India forces.

The recent 2+2 dialogue between the US and India in Delhi further amplified this disagreement. The joint statement released post-dialogue notably omitted any reference to Bangladesh, signalling a lack of alignment on this critical issue.

India has vocally prioritized political stability over disruptive elections, a stance reiterated during the dialogue. Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra emphasized that Bangladesh’s elections are an internal matter and affirmed India’s respect for the democratic process. This strong stance reflects India’s readiness to challenge the US narrative on Bangladesh.

Concerns mount over the potential fallout in Bangladesh due to the US’s assertive approach. Drawing parallels with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, India is cautioning against unilateral actions that could exacerbate unrest, violence, and radicalization in Bangladesh.

There is speculation among observers about a possible reconsideration of the US position in light of India’s steadfast stance. Former Indian high commissioner in Dhaka, Pankaj Saran, underscores the significance of India’s views in the region. While some foresee a shift in US policy acknowledging India’s concerns, others caution that change might not come swiftly. The US’s leniency towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party adds complexity to the situation, widening the gap in assessments between Delhi and Washington.

Bangladesh, situated at South Asia’s crossroads, has undergone significant political transformations over the years. As discussions around the country’s political landscape intensify, there’s growing apprehension about the resurgence of the Islamist-leaning Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to power.

Foremost among concerns regarding the BNP’s resurgence is the potential influence of Islamist ideologies on governance. The party’s historical connections to conservative elements raise questions about governance shaped by religious considerations, possibly challenging Bangladesh’s secular foundation and inclusivity.

In a diverse nation like Bangladesh, safeguarding minority rights is pivotal for societal harmony. The potential return of an Islamist-oriented government raises concerns about the safety and freedoms of religious and ethnic minorities. Previous experiences during the BNP’s governance (2001-2006) evoke worries of increased marginalization and discrimination.

The advancements in women’s rights achieved during the rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League could face setbacks with an Islamist-influenced government. Concerns revolve around potential conservative policies limiting women’s freedoms, access to education, employment, and healthcare.

The return of the BNP may also heighten national security concerns, regionally and internationally, due to historical associations with Islamist groups. A lenient approach towards radical elements could foster an environment conducive to extremist ideologies, posing threats not just to Bangladesh but also neighbouring countries, particularly India.

Political instability often precipitates economic repercussions. A return to power by the BNP could introduce uncertainties impacting Bangladesh’s economic stability, potentially reversing the progress made in the past 15 years. Shifts in foreign policy might influence economic partnerships and aid, altering the country’s growth trajectory.

Bangladesh’s geopolitical significance in South Asia underscores the potential ripple effects of significant political changes. Any shift in power could resonate across the region, impacting stability, particularly in relations with neighbouring India and Myanmar.

As Bangladesh navigates its political future, the impending return of the Islamist-leaning Bangladesh Nationalist Party to power raises pertinent concerns. Stakeholders, both within and beyond Bangladesh’s borders, must closely monitor developments, emphasizing the preservation of democratic values, protection of minority rights, and regional stability. International engagement and support during this pivotal time could shape a future that upholds democratic principles and ensures the well-being of all citizens.

With the next election approaching, the ruling Awami League faces formidable challenges, exacerbated by Washington’s persistent pressure and the Biden administration’s apparent bias towards the Islamist coalition involving the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Jatiya Party. Analysts suggest the Biden administration might intensify pressure on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, potentially imposing visa restrictions and sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act. In response, Sheikh Hasina may find herself compelled to proceed with the January 7 general election without the participation of the BNP and other Islamist-leftist forces. Analysts suggest that for Sheikh Hasina, making this choice might not be a difficult decision. (IPA Service)

By arrangement with the Arabian Post

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By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

While evidence has emerged pointing to disturbing nexus between numerous politicians from the United States, United Kingdom and European Union as well as US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden and an undesignated terrorist organization in Bangladesh, there is report about embattled MP from UK’s Tory Party, Bob Stewart, of hiding his directorship of a foreign defence company controlled by a controversial Azerbaijani businessman while sitting on Parliament’s influential defence committee.

An investigation by OpenDemocracy and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has found that Stewart failed to declare his role at the Luxembourg-registered firm. A former member of Westminster’s standards committee said the failure “looks like a clear and serious breach” of the rules. It comes a week after Stewart, the Conservative MP for Beckenham, was charged with a public order offence over an alleged racially aggravated incident in December.

According to OpenDemocracy, the latest revelations centre on Stewart’s hitherto secret directorship of Ksantex SARL, a provider of defence equipment and advice, between February 2015 and July 2017. During this time, he was a member of the House of Commons defence select committee, which is tasked with overseeing the work of government on defence issues.

“It would be difficult to describe something which is more of a conflict of interest than this”, the SNP’s constitutional affairs spokesperson Tommy Sheppard told OpenDemocracy.

MPs are required to declare all relevant outside interests on the Register of Members’ Financial Interests within one month of election and any changes to their interests within 28 days. Stewart failed to declare his position in the two and a half years that he was a director or at any stage since. Parliament’s own guidance states that the register’s purpose is “to provide information about any financial interest which an MP has, or any benefit which they receive, which others might reasonably consider to influence his or her actions or words as an MP”.

When asked by OpenDemocracy why he hadn’t registered his interest in Ksantex, Stewart said: “I believe I had already registered my interest in that group of companies in 2012”.According to OpenDemocracy, Tory Party MP Bob Stewart declared a consultancy arrangement with a separate company – VES Consultancy (UK) Ltd, where he earned £3,000 per month for the “provision of leadership/planning training and advice”. Stewart’s declaration said the work lasted for one year from 1 July 2010.

But there is another significant person, beyond Stewart, who connects the two firms: a French-Azerbaijani businessman called Khagani Bashirov, who served time in jail in relation to an investigation into the disappearance of funds from the International Bank of Azerbaijan.

Commenting publicly for the first time, Bashirov confirmed to OpenDemocracy that he controlled both VES Consultancy (UK) Ltd and Ksantex SARL. Bashirov was mentioned during the proceedings of the UK’s first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO), which was brought against the wife of Jahangir Hajiyev, the former chairman of Azerbaijan’s state bank, in 2018.

Tory Party MP Bob Stewart is not the only case. It was reported in Blitz that an INTERPOL wanted convicted terrorist named Shahid Uddin Khan has been maintaining deeper connections with Tory Party’s MP Stephen William Hammond. This dangerous terror-funder has publicly claimed to maintain connections with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and even shared picture with Sunak on social media.

In May 2009, UK’s most prestigious newspaper The Sunday Times in a report titled ‘Tory donor charged with arms dealing and funding terrorism’ said, Shahid Uddin Khan was maintaining intimate connections with Tory Party MP Stephen Hammond.

In a report, The Business Standard said Indian agencies suspect that the Bangladeshi army officer, allegedly involved in gun running, has links with Dawood Ibrahim’s underworld activities. Quoting sources, it further said that the former Bangladeshi Colonel migrated to London in 2009 under mysterious circumstances. He is said to have had business operations in Dubai as well as in Britain. As per the latest dossier on the Dawood Ibrahim cartel, the D company is involved in smuggling Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and contraband narcotics.

According to media reports, earlier Shahid Uddin had falsely claimed of completing PhD from Portsmouth University in UK. Although this matter was widely covered in the media, authorities of the Portsmouth University maintained total silence as it was later learnt from various sources that a section of staff of this university were bribed by this Interpol-wanted convicted fugitive in helping him with the false claim of completing PhD. It was revealed by reporters of this newspaper that the Portsmouth University PhD certificate Shahid Uddin Khan has been displaying on social media is fake, which generates serious doubts about the integrity of this UK University, while according to some people, Portsmouth University is a degree mill.

Since 2009, British authorities have allowed convicted fugitive Shahid Uddin Khan to reside in London by investing over US$ 15 million towards the so-called Golden Visa program, which has already allowed hundreds of criminals from around the world to take refuge in England. (IPA Service)

By arrangement with the Arabian Post

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US President Joe Biden’s scandalous son Hunter Biden, who has earlier met with State Department official on behalf Gabriel Popoviciu, a corrupt Romanian real estate tycoon in exchange for US$1 million when Joe Biden was vice president in 2016, has been now working for Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a hardcore Islamist political party in Bangladesh and been vigorously pushing several agendas set by BNP.

A review of emails and documents on Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop reveal a March 2016 meeting with then-US ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm on the topic of a corruption case against Gabriel Popoviciu. According to information, Popoviciu made more than US$1 million in wire payments to Hunter Biden from November 2015 to June 2017 as he battled corruption charges in his home country. Being a paid lobbyist of Gabriel Popoviciu, Hunter Biden met twice with Ambassador Hans Klemm, first in November 2015 and again in March 2016.

Emails show, at that time, Hunter Biden was a consultant for a law firm named Boies Schiller Flexner and worked with lawyers from the firm to lobby the US embassy in Bucharest to intervene in Gabriel Popoviciu’s case. Law firm Boies Schiller partner Christopher Boies told Biden in a September 1, 2015 email that his law partner – whom he never identified—was “best friends” with the newly appointed ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm.

According to US Congress Oversight report, Gabriel Popoviciu’s first wire payment amounting to US$59,900 was sent to Hunter Biden on November 9, 2015. Four days after that, Hunter Biden and Boies Schiller partner Michael Gottlieb discussed a meeting with Ambassador Hans Klemm and provided him reports about the Popoviciu case, which they said showed the corruption charges were bogus. The emails indicate that Biden attended the meeting, and Biden’s calendar shows a meeting with Klemm at Lapis restaurant in Washington, DC, on March 30, 2016.

Emails show that Hans Klemm was receptive to the reports and arranged meetings for the Biden consortium with Romanian officials. On May 17, 2016, Gottlieb contacted Klemm to seek help in meeting with Romania’s anti-corruption service, the DNA. Gottlieb wrote to Hunter Biden and others that “the USEMB [US Embassy] has primed this for us”.

Neither Hunter Biden nor Boies Schiller registered as lobbyists for Gabriel Popoviciu, who was ultimately convicted of bribery in 2017 and sentenced to seven years in prison.

It may be mentioned here that the lobbying" 94357 target="_self">Lobbying Disclosure Act requires individuals to disclose their lobbying" 94357 target="_self">lobbying activity to Congress, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act requires them to disclose lobbying" 94357 target="_self">lobbying on behalf of foreign nationals to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Commenting on this Republican Congressman Darrell Issa who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee said: “the Justice Department’s disinterest in Hunter Biden’s lobbying" 94357 target="_self">lobbying shows there is one set of rules for the president’s family and one for everyone else”.

Earlier the Washington Free Beacon in a report said that Hunter Biden and lawyers from Boies Schiller hatched a plan in 2014 to meet with State Department officials on behalf of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company whose owner was accused of bribery. A Boies Schiller partner wrote to Biden that she would arrange State Department meetings and conduct other activity “right up to the line” where the firm would have to register as a lobbyist.

For several years, Hunter Biden has connections with a consulting-cum-lobbyist firm named Blue Star Strategies, which had earlier registered its work for the Ukrainian company Burisma under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Through the same company Hunter Biden also crafted a plan to lobby the State Department on behalf of the Chinese private equity firm BHR Partners.

On January 17, 2022, Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told reporters that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has spent US$3.75 million for a US lobbyist firm as part of their anti-Bangladesh campaign.

The BNP hired US lobbyist firms called Akin Company Associates, Blue Star Strategies and Rasky Partners while Jamaat signed agreements with an organization named ‘Peace and justice’.

According to information obtained from the US, BNP spent US$2.7 million annually from February 2015 to April 2017. It spent US$120,000 per month in retainer fees.

According to information obtained by this newspaper, Blue Star Strategies was hired by BNP through Abdus Sattar, an UK-based leader of the party in August 2018. Agendas behind appointing Blue Star Strategies by BNP were to “promote the goals of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the upcoming [2018 general elections] elections in Bangladesh”. In addition, Blue Star Strategies also developed a strategy “that educates officials, policy influencers and the media [in the United States] about the BNP and its interests in free and fair elections” and drafted a “narrative to communicate the BNP’s goals”.

The contract was signed by Abdus Sattar as an individual – but the documentation suggests that he was acting on behalf of the BNP. In the section of the form which states that the name of the “foreign principal” was Abdul Sattar, it is confirmed that he is a “foreign political party”, meaning, Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

In addition, in the section of submitted documentation asking for details “if the foreign principal is a foreign political party”, Blue Star Strategies stated: “Bangladesh Nationalist Party, 28, 1 VIP Rd, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh”.

The documents confirmed that there were payments made to Blue Star Strategies which totaled at least US$278,582 over a two-year period. An amount of US$10,000 was paid to Blue Star Strategies in August 2018, another payment of US$197,790 in September 2018 and US$70,792 between March to September 2019.

The last payment was made from an account at the Singapore-based Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd. It may be mentioned here that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his business partner Giaus Uddin Mamun were also banking with the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

As part of the same contract with Blue Star Strategies, another lobbyist firm named Rasky Partners was paid US$86,627 by Blue Star Strategies to work with it in lobbying for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Humaiun Kobir, BNP National Executive Committee Member, Secretary of International Affairs and Advisor to the Acting Chairman has been coordinating BNP’s connections with Rasky Partners.

In January 2015, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP sent a proposal to UK-based lawyer Toby Cadman stating that “Akin Gump is pleased to offer to support the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (‘BNP’) in Washington, DC. by providing legal services (including policy analysis) as described below.” It went onto say, its services would include “facilitating dialogue between the BNP and politicians in Washington (including in relation to the forthcoming election) and lobbying" 94357 target="_self">lobbying in relation to war crimes trials taking place in Bangladesh, trade policy and trade negotiations, human rights abuses in Bangladesh, and the general relationship between the United States and Bangladesh”. It may be mentioned here that Toby Cadman played a key role behind 2021 sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), imposed by the US Department of Treasury.

In February 2015, the US firm submitted a document confirming that it was undertaking work for the BNP on the basis of a “formal written contract”, and appended the proposal sent to Toby Cadman, as the agreed contract.

In 2007, during the state of emergency, another lobbyist firm namely Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP was hired by the BNP to “advance restoration of a democratic government and expedite elections in Bangladesh”.

The documents submitted by the US firm noted that the “Name and title of the official with whom registrant deals with” was Khaleda Zia. It was paid US$160,000 by BNP.

Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami hired two lobbyist firms through an organization named Organization for Peace & Justice (OPJ), which is based and incorporated in New York. According to documents submitted by Jamaat-e-Islami’s lobbyist, OPJ is a Jamaat-e-Islami group. “Sympathizers of the Jamaat-e-Islami party serve as directors of the Organization for Peace & Justice, Inc. The mission is to prevent party members from being prosecuted by a politically motivated and government-influenced Tribunal”.

In 2018, OPJ, hired Husch Blackwell Strategies, LLC to ensure that “the United States Government policies, while currently supportive of political stability and democracy, development, and human rights in Bangladesh, do not shift in any manner contrary to the interests of Jamaat-e-Islami, nor create an environment where JI is defined as a security threat within Bangladesh or on an international scale”. The submitted documents suggest that OPJ was acting for the Jamaat as the lobbyist as the form confirmed OPJ as being a “foreign political party”.

In 2014, OPJ hired Cassidy and Associates which “engaged in educational meetings about human rights violations and provided strategic advice in an effort to prevent members of Jamaat-e-Islami Party from being prosecuted and executed by a politically motivated and government influenced tribunal”. It paid a total of US$285,952 [from April to June 2014 US$50,000; from February to July 2015 US$75,915; from August 2015 to January 2016 US$50,037 and US$110,000].

Between 2011 and 2013, Mir Masum Ali, who then lived in the United States, and was the Project Director of media and publications of Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA) – an organization that attracts US-based supporters of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh paid a total £370,000 to the same law firm, Cassidy and Associates, to lobby on “Bangladeshi war crimes tribunal and political opposition matters”.

Mir Masum Ali is the brother of Jamaat-e-Islami leader and executed war criminal Mir Quasem Ali. He paid US$210,000 in 2011, US$140,000 in 2012 and US$20,000 in 2013.

In 2011, another organization named Institute for US Bangladesh Relations hired Cassidy and Associates and paid the firm US$210,000, whereas this organization was connected to executed war criminal Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Pakistani spy agency Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI).

While BNP has been frantically trying to hire Hunter Biden as its lobbyists, it finally has succeeded in reaching an agreement with him through William B Milam. Milam is an influential figure of the Democratic Party and a retired diplomat who runs an organization named ‘Right to Freedom’ jointly with an individual named Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey – a former Assistant Press Secretary of then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, a diehard anti-India and anti-Hindu individual with affiliations with jihadist groups and Pakistani spy agency has been making frantic bids with the direct collaboration of William B Milam in pushing the United Nations as well as the US Department of State in unseating Awami League government through undemocratic process. Earlier the duo pursued the United Nations as well as the US Department of State in bringing more politicians and civil-military officials from Bangladesh under fresher sanctions using Global Magnitsky Act.

Ansarey has been working as the “Permanent Correspondent” of an illegal website named ‘Just News’, with active collaboration of William Bryant Milam (William B Milam), an American diplomat, who is known as the Senior Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC., has been making desperate bids both in the Capitol in Washington DC and the UN Headquarters in New York City, with the agenda of misleading key policymakers in Washington and the UN against Bangladesh and ruling Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It may be mentioned here that ‘Just News’ does not have any existence in Bangladesh.

According to a credible source, Ansarey spends thousands of dollars every week socializing with key individuals in the US, while he also is seen having lunch and dinner with those individuals, where most of the time he is accompanied by William B Milam.

Although Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey succeeded in getting press accreditation in the White House and the United Nations claiming as the “US Correspondent” of an illegal website, a vernacular tabloid daily in Dhaka has also been terming Ansarey as its “Permanent Reporter in the United Nations” and the White House. This vernacular tabloid has also been prominently publishing anti-Awami League propaganda materials sent by Ansarey on a regular basis.

It may be mentioned here that, on October 27, 2020, at the persuasions of William B Milam and Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, ten US Senators sent a letter to then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin calling for sanctions against RAB officials. In the United Kingdom, the Guernica 37 Chambers law offices made a formal submission to the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in August 2021 recommending sanctions for 15 current and former senior RAB officers. On August 31, 2021, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a virtual hearing on enforced disappearances in Bangladesh where several witnesses suggested taking punitive action. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry was not apprised of the case of letters sent by the US Senators, as it was later alleged that the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Washington DC was actually a former leader of BNP’s student wing.

At the directives of BNP’s fugitive and convicted leader Tarique Rahman, William B Milam and Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey also maintain deeper contact with controversial Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

After months of frantic bids, Bangladesh Nationalist Party has finally succeeded in reaching into a lobbyist arrangement with Hunter Biden through Blue Star Strategies. Although the amount of “lobbyist fees” offered by BNP to Hunter Biden remains unknown, according to a number of sources, the son of US President Joe Biden has been assigned to accomplish three goals – to obstruct Awami League from holding the next general election without participation of BNP; to exert pressure on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in holding the next general election under direct supervision of Washington; and to stop import of goods from Bangladesh if the next general election is held without BNP. It was also learnt from sources that at the request of Muhammad Yunus, Hillary Clinton also has been trying to influence US President Joe Biden through a number of key officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In addition to its ongoing lobbyist efforts and recent arrangements with Hunter Biden, Bangladesh Nationalist Party has hired a New York-based PR firm in running full-page ads for consecutive five days in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal with “appeal” of obstructing the general election in Bangladesh, once the ruling Awami League moves ahead with the election and schedule of it is announced. Bangladesh Nationalist Party also is looking for hiring journalists and columnists in a number of major publications in the US, while Tarique Rahman plans to do similar propaganda in a number of major newspapers in Britain. For such propaganda efforts, BNP has been building a huge fund with contributions from wealthy leaders of the party as well as Jamaat-e-Islami, while family members of executed or convicted war criminals would also contribute to it.

The article Hunter Biden works in favour of Islamist party in Bangladesh appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

Finally, Afghan nationals who had joined America’s war on terror and extended cooperation are being hunted-down by Taliban jihadists through biometric identification. It is also learnt that a section of heavily Islamist officers inside Pakistani spy agency Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) are also selling information about ‘American collaborators’ to the Taliban.

Commenting on this extremely disturbing scenario, American journalist and counterterrorism expert Robert Spencer said: “Some Afghans put their lives, and the lives of their families, on the line by aiding US troops during our two-decade misadventure in their country, and now the very thing they risked everything to prevent has come to pass: the Taliban is back in power, and according to a new report, they are being hunted down in Afghanistan every day. The desperate situation in which these people find themselves is yet another terrible result of the fecklessness and indifference of Old Joe Biden and his handlers”.

Recently, Fox News said that a new report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction “detailing the chaos in Afghanistan following the American troop withdrawal in 2021 says the Taliban is now using fingerprint and gun records to hunt down Afghans who worked with the US government”.

According to a former officer of the fallen Afghan national government’s military intelligence apparatus, this is happening “on a daily basis”. The officer added: “They search their homes and if they cannot find the individual they will go after their family members. They punish their family until the person they are looking for surrenders. They will arrest someone at their home and beat them all the way to the police station”. This is, of course, because “the Taliban fear these forces because they think these people might be against them one day or have connections to the opposition fighting the Taliban”.

According to Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), the Taliban is carrying out a sophisticated operation “using biometric devices to detect the find former ANDSF members. “They take fingerprints and if there is a match, they pick up the individual to the police station for interrogation”. Through this method of identifying ‘American collaborators’ through biometric data, a large number of officers and members of National Directorate of Security, Afghan National Army, and Afghan National Police have already been arrested. Most of these detained Afghans are in prison thus leaving the families in severe sufferings with no food or money. Most of the family members of these arrested individuals are cursing the United States and President Joe Biden for pushing their lives into extreme difficulty by abruptly withdrawing from Afghanistan and without doing anything for their safety and protection.

On condition of remaining anonymous one family member of a detained officer of Afghan National Army said, “We believed in the words of Americans, thinking they would liberate us from the clutches of the Taliban. Many of Afghan nationals have sacrificed their lives in America’s war in Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghans were critically injured while many of them have become physically paralyzed. Americans were paying huge incentives to their own soldiers who had fought in Afghanistan, while Washington has also given hundreds of millions of dollars to Pakistan. But they did nothing for us, as if our lives have no value”.

Gen. Besmullah Taban, who was previously the director of the Afghan National Police’s criminal investigative division, confirmed all this, saying that his mother has told him “that the Taliban sent people to my family’s house asking for my gun. They are looking for everything now, because there were systems showing which pistol or whatever belongs to whom”, thus alerting the Taliban to the identities of people who worked with American troops. “They are going through and trying to get that stuff”.

Meanwhile, a US Marine infantry officer observed that “you’ve got guys who certainly do deserve to come to the US who aren’t able to, and they’ve got a target on their back. The Taliban knows where they are and how to find them. It’s like we gave this guy a rope and noose around his neck and then kicked the chair out from under him”.

With this heart-breaking fate of Afghans who had helped America in fighting Taliban jihadists, one may possibly assume what fate waits for those Ukrainians who are joining Western nation’s hostility and war in Ukraine targeting Russia and few other countries in that part of the world. Sooner or later, Joe Biden will give those Ukrainians rope and noose around their necks and then kick the chair out from under saying – “go and die son of a bitch”. (IPA Service)

By arrangement with the Arabian Post

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The article Taliban Hunt ‘U.S. Collaborators’ Through Biometric Identification appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

In Bangladesh, unfortunately, journalism is becoming increasingly risky while a section of the state machinery has started seeing journalists as criminals and journalism as crime. Working journalists in Bangladesh are already in a state of extreme fear following introduction of ‘Digital Security Act’ which has been used as a key tool of suffocating freedom of expression and freedom of press, while now there is newer concern as the government is set to promulgate newer laws – even amending the Press Council Act – which surely will make the profession of journalism – the most difficult task in the world.

Existing ‘Digital Security Act’ (DSA) has already turned into a nightmare to journalists, which is being used by anyone who wants to suffocate freedom of press and intimidate journalists. The DSA was preceded by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ACT 2006, which was later amended in 2013. Since 2014, the ICT Act has come under harsh criticism as it was widely used to arrest and prosecute individuals, particularly journalists for expressing their views.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Bangladesh police filed nearly 1,300 charges from 2013 to April 2018 under the ICT Act. Most of these cases were filed under Section 57 of the act, which authorizes  the prosecution of anyone who “publishes or transmits … in electronic form any material” deemed “fake and obscene”, defamatory, or otherwise likely to “deprave or corrupt” its audience. It also allows for prosecutions stemming from any online material that may cause “law and order” to “deteriorate”; “prejudice the image of the State or [a] person; or “hurt religious belief.” In 2018, the government finally decided to repeal five controversial sections of the ICT Act, including the offending Section 57. But this repeal didn’t result in a freer environment because the DSA essentially incorporated these sections with even harsher penalties.

The DSA now includes life imprisonment for offenders, and uses terms and provisions which are excessively broad and open to interpretation. Section 25 of the Act criminalizes “spreading information with an intention to affect the image or reputation of the country or to spread confusion”.

While the DSA targets critical voices on social media and other digital platforms, mainstream media and journalists are not safe from the Act. The Centre for Governance Studies (CHS) tracked a total of 890 charges under DSA from January 2020 to March 3, 2022, and found that 8.6 percent were brought against mainstream journalists. In recent times, various individuals and even terror-patrons have started using DSA as a weapon of silencing journalists.

The Digital Security Act (DSA) was enacted in 2018 purportedly replacing the controversial Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006 (as amended in 2013). This new law has however shown a more restrictive approach towards freedom of expression in its wordings and application than the former one. This excessive interference with free expression has encouraged demands from people of many walks for the abolishment of the DSA.

In brief, the only goal of the Digital Security Act is to criminalize journalism and create a fearsome atmosphere where journalists either should change their profession or take mental preparation for being harassed and even imprisoned almost on a regular basis for the “crime” of being a journalist.

Controlling the media – and demonizing journalists who don’t toe the “correct” line – is nothing new. It has been adopted by rulers across the world throughout history – and not just by dictators. Bangladesh is just one supposedly democratic country, where the law is coming dangerously close to making journalism a crime.

The Government of Bangladesh is currently planning to introduce yet another new set of laws under the banner of the “Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT Platforms”, a draft of which was published in February 2022.

A total of 45 international organizations have called on the government to withdraw it amid concerns over freedom of expression.

This is just the latest step in Bangladesh’s long road towards curtailing freedom of speech, adding to the already existing, draconian 2018 Digital Security Act.

These digital security laws did not spring out of a vacuum. The Information and Communication Technology Act, which was passed in 2006 under the BNP-Jamaat government, was used to arrest more than 1,200 people. It has been actively used by all parties, not just BNP-Jamaat.

There are now nine laws that directly or indirectly affect the media. An additional three are in draft form. The fourth, the Press Council Act, is in the offing. All in all, it makes for a total of 13 laws.

According to senior journalists, it may not be wrong to surmise that, in today’s Bangladesh, there are more laws to restrict journalism and free speech than there are laws to restrict terrorism, smuggling, money laundering, food adulteration, selling fake medicine, etc. As if gauging freedom of press has become a priority to a section of ruling elites.

On June 20, 2022 during a press briefing, journalists were told that the Press Council (Amendment) Act had been placed before the cabinet. The cabinet, in a preliminary consideration, had struck out the provision of fines up to BDT 1 million for compromising state security, harming public harmony, and unethical journalism. The draft also proposed a fine of BDT 500,000 for violating Article 12 whose contents, like the rest of the draft Act, are unknown not only to the media but also to the Press Council itself.

It was also stated that the cabinet removed the fine amount and left it to the discretion of the Press Council. The proposed draft empowers the Council to take cognizance, on its own, of any offence related to news, articles or cartoons committed by a newspaper or news agency that goes against the Council’s code of conduct and also that compromises security, independence and sovereignty of the country. The Act will be applicable to print and digital media houses.

In plain words – another law being prepared to throttle press freedom and the freedom of expression. Again, vague terms like “harming public harmony” and “state security” are being inserted into a law to be interpreted subjectively, and used only to harass and intimidate journalists and punish dissenting voices.

The truth is, it is the journalist community that fought for and established the Press Council as they wanted a quasi-judicial body for strengthening press freedom, ensuring stricter adherence to professional ethics as well as addressing public grievances against shoddy journalism. The idea was that a body, headed by a senior judge, and a general body comprising members of the profession – editors, journalists, press workers etc, as well as renowned civil society members and parliamentarians would act as a protective shield against attempts to muzzle the media by upholding the principles of the Constitution. What was initiated by the media leaders to improve journalism has now been turned into a weapon to punish them. (IPA Service)

By arrangement with the Arabian Post

The post Draconial Bangladesh Laws Make Journalism Increasingly Risky To Practice first appeared on IPA Newspack.

The article Draconial Bangladesh Laws Make Journalism Increasingly Risky To Practice appeared first on Arabian Post.

It seems freedom of expression and freedom of press are being suffocated in Bangladesh under a draconian law titled Digital Security Act, and internationally acclaimed award-winning anti-militancy journalist and editor of Weekly Blitz newspaper has become its latest victim.

This extremely courageous journalist has gone through an ordeal lasting years for denouncing anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial; confronting radical Islam and militancy; and for advocating interfaith harmony. To international community and lawmakers around the world, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a hero fighting against religious extremism. His contributions have been endorsed by the Parliament of Australia (Australian Senate), European Union Parliament, British House of Commons, and the United States Congress.

Back in 2003, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was arrested at Dhaka International Airport on his way to Tel Aviv, Israel for attending an international peace conference, which was co-organized by the Tel Aviv University and the US Department of State. He was also scheduled to attend as the key speaker at another event organized by the Hebrew Writers’ Association. Then Islamist coalition government of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh played a nasty trick by sending Choudhury to prison and brining false charges of sedition, treason and blasphemy. Pro-militancy BNP-Jamaat coalition government branded Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury as “an agent of Mossad” and tortured him in police custody. A top leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Motiur Rahman Nizami (a war criminal who was handed death penalty for his crimes committed during Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971) during a meeting of Jamaat at Dhaka’s Baitul Mukarram area publicly demanded Choudhury’s death and described him as “an enemy of Islam”.

After many years of legal battle and suffering, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was freed from prison in July 2018 and since has been serving as the editor of Weekly Blitz newspaper. Ever since his release from prison, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury has been writing against radical Islam and militancy and promoting interfaith harmony. His newspaper Weekly Blitz enjoys appreciation from readers around the world for its bold stand against religious extremism, militancy and terrorism.

Unfortunately, very recently Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury has come under attack from the agents of religious extremism and anti-Sheikh Hasina bloc. According to media reports, a false case under Digital Security Act (DSA) has been lodged against Choudhury with Dhaka’s Cyber Tribunal for the “crime” of publishing a report based on specific evidences about notorious activities of an anti-government individual in Bangladesh. On April 6, 2022, Choudhury appeared before the Cyber Tribunal in Dhaka, Bangladesh and sought anticipatory bail in this case. According to Akter Hossain Shohel, his attorney, the tribunal has fixed August 17, 2022 as the next date, when Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury needs to re-appear for hearing.

Earlier on March 3, 2022 the Committee to Protect Journalists in its report said: “Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, editor of the tabloid Weekly Blitz, faces Digital Security Act proceedings after publishing eight articles about a family allegedly engaging in criminal and anti-government activities”.

According to media reports, Section 40 of the Digital Security Act allows authorities 60 days to complete an investigation, which can be extended with judicial approval. The CID submitted applications to extend the investigation period on June 22, 2021, September 30, 2021, and November 17, 2021, according to Choudhury.

On January 23, 2022, Sub-inspector Mehdi Hassan filed an investigative report at the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal which accused Choudhury of violating three sections of the Digital Security Act pertaining to the publication of offensive, false, or threatening information; defamation; and abetment.

According to a report published by an Indian news site The Eastern Herald: Shahana Rashid Sanu posted a video of Mizanur Rahman Azhari on March 21, 2021, on her Facebook ID protesting the Bangladesh visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi visited Bangladesh to attend the Golden Jubilee celebration of Bangladesh’s victory against Pakistani occupation forces. In the comment section of this notorious post, several people suggested waging jihad against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government need to immediately initiate an investigation into the false case lodged against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury and punish the woman who had made attempts toe destabilize the country’s law and order situation during March-2021 Bangladesh visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bangladesh authorities should also initiate high-level neutral probe into the dubious actions of Sub-inspector Mehdi Hassan of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police.

Damsana Ranadhiran is a security analyst and retired intelligence officer.

The article Stand against radical Islam lands Bangladesh scribe in jail appeared first on Arabian Post.