[Other than Students uprising and terrible turmoil in DB; it is noteworthy that the US Pentagon has long sought to establish a strategic military base on Saint Martin’s Island, located in the Bay of Bengal under Bangladeshi territory. Hasina consistently denied US forces access to the island, aiming to maintain trade, economic, and infrastructure relations with China—who, in turn, opposes US control over the island and the construction of an airbase. Despite Hasina’s strong strategic ties with India, her resistance to US interests set the stage for friction.]. . . . . . Detailed Analysis By Syed Atiq ul Hassan
After months of violent protests, Bangladesh witnessed a seismic shift that culminated in the sudden overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year-long government. But was the massive student
movement the sole catalyst for Hasina’s swift departure to India, as dictated by the Bangladeshi military? Or does a more intricate plot involving global superpowers lie beneath the surface?
As events unfold, it becomes clear that the international media coverage over the past week only scratches the surface of a far more complex narrative. While the authoritarian governance, marginalization of opposition parties, nepotistic promotion of Awami League (AL) loyalists through a manipulated quota system, and suppression of media, journalists, and writers who exposed the corruption and ruthlessness of Hasina’s regime are apparent reasons for her downfall, emerging details suggest that regional geopolitics and the interests of global powers played a significant role in bolstering the student movement. This may have been orchestrated through the influence of a non-political figure with considerable sway among the people of Bangladesh.
The Long-Running Political Game Against Sheikh Hasina’s Government
For some time, there has been a protracted political game and strategic plotting against Sheikh Hasina’s government, both within and outside Bangladesh. Overseas Bangladeshis have played a significant role in these efforts. Geopolitical issues involving India, China, and Russia have added layers of complexity, with these nations’ vested interests now being hotly debated in international media. Moreover, the United States is believed to have used Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as a front to strategically initiate the movement, mobilizing students, and later pressuring the military to overthrow Hasina’s government before her strong establishment could react.
According to a report by The Guardian, Dr. Yunus was in Paris attending the Olympic Games when he was allegedly instructed by organizers to prepare to fly back to India to head an interim government after Hasina’s government had been overthrown. Dr. Yunus’s lawyers informed The Guardian that a Dhaka court had overturned a conviction against him for labour law violations—one of many charges he claimed were part of a broader campaign of legal harassment orchestrated by Hasina.
Other than Students uprising and terrible turmoil in DB; it is noteworthy that the US Pentagon has long sought to establish a strategic military base on Saint Martin’s Island, located in the Bay of Bengal under Bangladeshi territory. Hasina consistently denied US forces access to the island, aiming to maintain trade, economic, and infrastructure relations with China—who, in turn, opposes US control over the island and the construction of an airbase. Despite Hasina’s strong strategic ties with India, her resistance to US interests set the stage for friction.
Muhammad Yunus, New Interim Government Head and A US Strategic Friend
Muhammad Yunus, a prominent banker with close ties to the US government, has been recognized by the US Congress, which awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal in 2013 for his efforts in the fight against global poverty and in promoting economic and social change. In 2009, President Barack Obama also awarded Yunus the Medal of Freedom, further solidifying his connections with the US.
Born in Chittagong in 1940, Dr. Yunus received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Dhaka University in 1960, followed by a master’s in 1961. He later travelled to Nashville, Tennessee, to earn his PhD in economics from Vanderbilt University in 1971. Dr. Yunus is widely regarded as an outstanding reformer of Bangladesh’s economic system, particularly through his socialist-oriented initiatives. He introduced microcredit schemes aimed at providing small loans to impoverished individuals, especially women. This project gained worldwide recognition, and in 2006, Dr. Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for pioneering the concept of microcredit in Bangladesh.
Dr. Yunus founded Grameen Bank in 2006, aiming for the broader implementation of his microcredit scheme through a network of branches across Bangladesh, the U.S., and other European countries. Grameen Bank has received significant support from the US.
According to Grameen Bank’s website, the bank is headquartered in Dhaka, with 40 Zonal offices, 40 Zonal Audit offices, 240 Area offices, and 2,568 Branch offices across Bangladesh, along with 19 branches in the US Grameen Bank currently operates in 94% of Bangladeshi villages, providing services to 45 million people, including 10.61 million borrowers. Dr. Yunus thus wields considerable economic influence in Bangladesh and substantial wealth in the US through his Grameen Banking network. In 2010, the British magazine New Statesman ranked Yunus 40th in its list of “The World’s 50 Most Influential Figures.”
It is not uncommon for US senators and policymakers to closely monitor individuals with exceptional talent, leadership qualities, and influence in targeted countries. These individuals are often groomed to gain popularity in their native lands, advancing various economic, political, and even religious agendas that align with US interests. Examples of such figures include Shah Faisal, Saddam Hussein, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and Osama Bin Laden—leaders who were once elevated by US support and later eliminated when they were no longer deemed useful.
According to a Sunday Guardian article published on August 11, 2024, Dr. Yunus’s close relations with President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and George Soros have been well known for decades. Muhammad Yunus has been nurtured by Washington for years, waiting for the right moment to be positioned as an alternative to Sheikh Hasina and her government.
When former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was interacting with leaders of 14 parties in a closed-door meeting at Ganabhaban, her official residence, on the evening of May 24, she reportedly warned them—and perhaps reminded herself—of a “conspiracy” in play to remove her. Sources within her team have indicated that this conspiracy was being orchestrated by a foreign power (the US) that had made it clear through a series of actions and statements that it was not pleased with her return to power in the January 2024 elections.
Noticeably, when the interim government was established following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Washington wasted no time in endorsing Yunus’s interim setup. Secretary Blinken tweeted, “I welcome the swearing-in of Dr. Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government in Bangladesh. The United States supports his call for calm and peace and remains committed to working with Bangladesh as it charts a democratic, prosperous future for its people.”
Three days after Sheikh Hasina’s dismissal, the 84-year-old Dr. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on August 8, 2024. More than a dozen members of his cabinet, whose titles are “advisers” rather than ministers, took the oath. The caretaker government is now tasked with restoring peace and preparing for new elections. Dr. Yunus’s cabinet includes Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, top student leaders, Touhid Hossain, a former foreign secretary, Hassan Ariff, a former attorney general, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an award-winning environmental lawyer, and Asif Nazrul, a prominent law professor and writer.
The Interim Government’s Challenges and Geopolitical Pressures
The interim government’s primary responsibility should be to maintain freedom of speech, law and order, and a fair justice system until national free and fair elections are held under the constitutional framework and international monitors and observers. However, it is crucial to recognize the existing geopolitical tensions in the region, where the US is likely to demand that the new government—or perhaps even the interim government—revisit its long-standing request to establish a military base on Saint Martin’s Island, a demand previously denied by Sheikh Hasina. China will likely maintain its firm stance against US involvement on the Saint Martin’s Island, while India and Russia may have their own expectations from the new government. Additionally, in the past, the US and Australia had urged Bangladesh to join The Quad – a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Hasina resisted this due to her plans to pursue trade and infrastructure development with China. Therefore, navigating these geopolitical pressures will be a significant challenge for the interim government and any subsequent elected government.
Unfortunately, no government in developing or underdeveloped countries is perfect, and most are financially dependent on international financial institutions influenced by the US. These governments often suffer from coups and regime changes under the guise of bringing peace and establishing corruption-free governments. However, when a new government comes to power, it often becomes apparent that foreign powers were involved for their own vested interests. Many of these governments have numerous problems, and many leaders are deeply flawed. Still, it is essential to understand that the US establishment has a history of backing what it calls “colour revolutions” against independent leaders to advance its geopolitical interests. (The writer, Syed Atiq ul Hassa, is a Sydney-based journalist, analyst, writer and editor, Tribune International, Australia. His email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com ).
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