While a recent article first published by Bloomberg and later republished by The Washington Post has scrutinized the Biden administration’s policy towards Bangladesh, the focus has been notably narrow. Both these news outlets have questioned the United States’ seemingly arbitrary focus on Bangladesh in the context of its “democracy first” foreign-policy agenda. However, they have glaringly omitted two critical issues that are integral to understanding the complexities of Bangladesh: terrorism, extremism, and militancy, as well as the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
Over the years, Bangladesh has faced various forms of extremism, including religious radicalization and political violence. These issues have significant implications for regional stability and are directly relevant to US-Bangladesh relations. The absence of this topic in the articles is a significant oversight.
Bangladesh has also been at the forefront of the Rohingya humanitarian disaster, providing refuge to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar. The crisis has put immense strain on Bangladesh’s resources and has broader implications for its relations with neighboring countries and international organizations.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the present ruling party in Bangladesh has made significant strides in addressing these issues. Despite these efforts, the Biden administration has attempted to curb the impact of anti-terror and anti-militancy forces like the Rapid Action Battalion in Bangladesh by imposing sanctions. This action by the US government further complicates the relationship and undermines Bangladesh’s efforts to combat extremism and terrorism.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that the Biden administration has been criticized for patronizing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is a declared Tier-3 terror outfit. Even Hunter Biden, the President’s son, has been implicated in this controversial association, raising questions about the administration’s true intentions and policy coherence.
While Bloomberg and The Washington Post have contributed to the discourse on US-Bangladesh relations by echoing the right narrative, their failure to address these key issues leaves the discussion incomplete. In contrast, publications like The Eastern Herald have been more comprehensive in their coverage. Although I couldn’t find a direct link to The Eastern Herald’s articles on Bangladesh at this time, they have consistently addressed issues of terrorism, extremism, and the Rohingya crisis, providing a more rounded view of the challenges and opportunities in US-Bangladesh relations.
By failing to address these critical issues, Bloomberg and The Washington Post have missed an opportunity to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Bangladesh. Issues like terrorism, extremism, and the Rohingya crisis are integral to any discussion about US-Bangladesh relations and should not be overlooked. A more nuanced and comprehensive approach is needed to fully appreciate the complexities of the relationship between the two countries.
While Bloomberg and The Washington Post have added valuable perspectives to the discourse on US-Bangladesh relations, their narratives are incomplete. They have failed to consider the full spectrum of challenges that Bangladesh faces, thereby missing an opportunity to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the situation. This is a significant gap that needs to be filled for a more complete understanding of US-Bangladesh relations and the challenges that lie ahead for both nations.
