A Free Fair Election without External Influence

Brig Gen HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd) Bangladesh’s experience with elections has never unfolded in isolation. From the very birth of the state, external forces—regional powers, global actors, donors, and international institutions—have interacted with domestic politics in ways that shaped not only election stability but also the deeper character of governance. These influences have rarely operated … More A Free Fair Election without External Influence

Blood on the Hills: The Making of a Crisis

Brig Gen HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd) The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have long been one of Bangladesh’s most fragile frontiers. Rugged hills, dense forests, and a border touching both India and Myanmar make the region strategically vital. Whoever controls the CHT holds a gateway to the Bay of Bengal and a corridor to India’s vulnerable … More Blood on the Hills: The Making of a Crisis

Trial of Army Officers Before the ICT: Law, Policy, and Institutional Crisis

Brig Gen (Retd) HRM Rokan Uddin In Bangladesh, the recent formation of charge sheets and summons issued by the International Crimes Tribunal against several army officers has sparked an intense legal, constitutional, and institutional debate. This is not merely a matter of one case, it raises profound questions about the balance between the country’s constitutional … More Trial of Army Officers Before the ICT: Law, Policy, and Institutional Crisis

Bangladesh’s Democratic Crossroads: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead

HRM Rokon Uddin The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year regime on 5 August 2024 marked one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Bangladesh’s history since independence. The ensuing appointment of Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser of an interim administration created a fragile but hopeful opening. A year on, Bangladesh stands at … More Bangladesh’s Democratic Crossroads: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead

Arakan Army’s Provocations: Resolution Lies in Firm Stance

HRM Rokan Uddin The Arakan region (today’s Rakhine State of Myanmar) has been deeply connected with Bengal for centuries. There were strong bonds of trade, culture, and migration between the coastal belts of Chittagong and Arakan. During the medieval period, the Sultans of Bengal maintained close ties with the Arakanese kingdom. Sufi saints, traders, and … More Arakan Army’s Provocations: Resolution Lies in Firm Stance

India-Bangladesh: The Strained Relationship beneath a Complex History

In December 1971, India’s intervention in the Bangladesh Liberation War marked a critical moment in South Asia’s history. With the support of Indian forces, Bangladesh achieved independence after nine grueling months of war against Pakistan, bringing an end to a brutal campaign of genocide and displacement. India’s role in the independence of Bangladesh was pivotal, … More India-Bangladesh: The Strained Relationship beneath a Complex History

A Nation in Crisis: Time for Decisive Action to Restore Law and Order

-Brig Gen (Retd) HRM Rokan Uddin, psc. phD Over the past sixteen years, Bangladesh witnessed countless incidents of unspeakable brutality under a tyrannical regime that ruled through fear, partisan violence, and systemic impunity. Among those tragedies, one incident still burns in the memory of the nation: the brutal killing of Biswajeet Das, a humble tailor, … More A Nation in Crisis: Time for Decisive Action to Restore Law and Order

Fractured Brotherhood: The Thailand–Cambodia Conflict and Its Regional Reverberations

By Brig Gen (Retd) HRM Rokan Uddin, psc, PhD The recent fallout between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen—dramatically exposed through a leaked phone call and a scathing Facebook Live broadcast—has drawn back the curtain on what many viewed as an enduring alliance of political convenience. What was once … More Fractured Brotherhood: The Thailand–Cambodia Conflict and Its Regional Reverberations

India’s Aggressive Posture: Strategic Concerns for Bangladesh

By Brig Gen (retd) HRM Rokan Uddin, psc For over a decade and a half, Bangladesh’s internal political dynamics have been heavily influenced by external patronage—most notably by India. The Hasina-led Awami League government, in power for 16 consecutive years since 2009, had developed an overtly submissive foreign policy toward India. Under her leadership, a … More India’s Aggressive Posture: Strategic Concerns for Bangladesh

Bangladesh under Fire: Sovereignty at Stake

-By Brig Gen (Retd) HRM Rokan Uddin, psc, phd Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime in August 2024, Bangladesh has entered a critical phase in its national life. The transitional government, under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has been working to stabilize the country, reform key institutions, and pave the way for … More Bangladesh under Fire: Sovereignty at Stake