Maj Gen HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd) The signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on 7 August 2026 marks one of the most significant developments in the evolving security architecture of the Middle East and the wider Muslim world. Signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President … More The Makkah Alliance: A Landmark in Regional Geopolitics
Maj Gen HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd) There is a meaningful distinction between weathering a political movement and facing a death sentence, and this distinction sits at the heart of why Sheikh Hasina is unlikely to set foot in Bangladesh again. In the 1990s, and even during the army-backed caretaker period of 2007-08, she confronted political … More Why Sheikh Hasina Will Not Return: A Reality Check
Maj Gen HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd.) Bangladesh is a land of harmony with a history stretching back centuries. The story of this land is not merely the separate history of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or Christians; rather, it is a unique history of coexistence, mutual respect, and cultural integration. For generations, the people of Bengal have … More An Old Foundation of Harmony: The Shadow of New Conspiracies and Crises
Major General HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd) Few conflicts in the contemporary world carry the weight of history, the complexity of identity and the tragedy of missed opportunity quite like the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. These are two Muslim nations bound together by geography, ethnicity, religion and shared suffering – and yet locked in … More Afghanistan- Pakistan Conflict and Negative role of India
HRM Rokan Uddin Bangladesh is a peace-loving state. Since independence, the core foundation of its foreign policy has been peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the resolution of disputes through dialogue. Bangladesh does not seek conflict or war with any country, nor does it aspire to interfere in the internal affairs of others. Its active participation … More A Peace Loving Nation:Ready to Defend
HRM Rokan Uddin When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhaka in June 2015, one of the most consequential—yet insufficiently debated—outcome was the proposal to establish a dedicated Indian Economic Zone (IEZ) inside Bangladesh. Framed as an economic confidence-building measure, the proposal aimed to facilitate Indian investment and deepen bilateral economic integration. Then Prime Minister Sheikh … More Rethinking of Defense Industry Zone at Mirsarai
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
Brigadier General (Retd.) HRM Rokan Uddin, psc South Asia’s geopolitics now face a new reality. After years of war and foreign intervention, Afghanistan stands at a delicate stage of national reconstruction. In this situation, India has extended its hand of diplomacy and development cooperation—appearing as a generous friend. Yet history, geography, and India’s strategic behavior … More India–Afghanistan Relations: Strategy Behind the Mask of Friendship
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
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
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