Is Rooppur the foundation of Bangladesh’s energy future, or a costly monument to poor negotiation, foreign dependence, and missed renewable opportunities? Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in its energy future as the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant nears operation and discussions continue over further nuclear expansion. While nuclear power promises reliable baseload electricity, Rooppur has...Read More

A prolonged US-Iran war could unleash a severe economic shock and social turbulence for Bangladesh, driving up energy prices, straining foreign exchange reserves, disrupting exports, and threatening remittance inflows. Can Bangladesh withstand the financial turbulence ahead? The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has intensified since it erupted on 28 February 2026, and...Read More

Bangladesh–India relations have long been shaped by shared geography, cultural affinities, and deep economic interdependence. Yet these ties have oscillated between close cooperation and periodic tension, reflecting domestic political shifts and changing regional dynamics. The departure of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh’s political stage marks a watershed moment in South Asian geopolitics. For over a decade...Read More

Since the 1971 Liberation War, Bangladesh–Pakistan relations have remained characterised by enduring political tension and intermittent normalisation efforts, raising critical questions about the prospects for reconciling deep-rooted historical and structural differences. The emergence of Bangladesh in 1971 fundamentally reshaped South Asia’s geopolitical landscape. Born from a brutal liberation war against Pakistan, Bangladesh’s independence left enduring...Read More

Bangladesh-Myanmar relations are shaped by a complex mix of history, geography, trade, security issues, and humanitarian concerns such as the Rohingya crisis. Can economic and diplomatic engagements change this dynamic? Myanmar was the sixth nation to recognise Bangladesh as a sovereign nation following its independence in 1971. Formal diplomatic relations were established on 21 March...Read More

On 4 October 1975, China officially established diplomatic relations with Bangladesh. Five decades later, both countries have made significant advancements in areas of economic and defence collaboration. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship and is also the ‘China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges’. Despite the countries not sharing territorial borders, trade...Read More

The quota system introduced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for freedom fighters in 1972 has once again been thrust into the spotlight. Like a social-timebomb, the anti-quota protests organised by the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement ousted Sheikh Hasina’s regime, granting Bangladesh its ‘second independence’. The historic events of 5 August 2024 were the culmination of the ever-growing...Read More

Bangladesh has existed for 53 years, and of these, 34 years have been under ‘democratic rule’. On 7 January 2024, the country had its 12th parliamentary elections which were described as “controversial”. With the main opposition not taking part in the elections, is the country heading towards a one-party state? Bangladesh has a long legacy...Read More

Online freedom of expression has been criminalised by the government of Bangladesh through its controversial Digital Security Act (DSA) 2018, and this has continued with its replacement – the Cyber Security Act (CSA). Through legal methods, the Act enables the government to eradicate critical thinking and dissent even though it is a right enshrined in...Read More

The economic turbulence that Bangladesh is currently going through has caused a rapid increase in food and energy prices. This has affected low and middle-income families who spend a large share of their income on food. With huge uncertainties, how will Bangladesh cope with the global supply-side shocks? Over the last few years Bangladesh has...Read More