The international community must do more to support Afghan and Rohingya refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World Jan 28, 2025

After the Monsoon Revolution, Bangladesh’s economy and government need major reforms

By Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak

In 2024, Bangladesh’s student-led “Monsoon Revolution” ousted an entrenched autocratic regime, marking a historic shift. Yet, with deep systemic corruption and political resistance, the road to stability remains uncertain.
Bangladesh Corruption
The international community must do more to support Afghan and Rohingya refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic

New Atlanticist Aug 7, 2024

Hasina is out. Yunus is in. Here are the three biggest factors to watch in Bangladesh.

By Ali Riaz

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled Bangladesh, and Nobel Prize–winner Muhammad Yunus will lead an interim government. But several important questions remain unanswered.
Bangladesh India
The international community must do more to support Afghan and Rohingya refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic

New Atlanticist Aug 2, 2024

A violent crackdown has put Bangladesh at a crossroads

By Ali Riaz

At least two hundred people have been killed and thousands more injured in protests that included law enforcement firing on protestors.
Bangladesh Conflict

The South Asia Center is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region. ​At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2020

The international community must do more to support Afghan and Rohingya refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic

By Rudabeh Shahid and Harris Samad

While the international community remains hyper-focused on addressing the virus and its associated economic slowdown, Afghan and Rohingya refugees continue to be forced into a life of complete uncertainty as they escape violence in their home countries. Concerted action by the international community and host countries towards mitigating the virus’ disproportionate effects on asylum seekers would immensely improve refugee welfare.

Afghanistan
Bangladesh

Event Recap

Sep 9, 2020

Event recap: “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on South Asian Economies” with the US Embassy in Delhi

By Atlantic Council

On September 3, 2020, the US Embassy in Delhi hosted a webinar about the effects of COVID-19 on the regional economies of South Asia, featuring Dr Irfan Nooruddin, director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center.

Afghanistan
Bangladesh

In the News

Sep 4, 2020

Riaz quoted in Nikkei Asian Review: China and India vie for clout in Bangladesh with COVID vaccines

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh
China

In the News

Aug 20, 2020

Riaz quoted in TRT World about diplomacy between India and Bangladesh

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh
India

SouthAsiaSource

Aug 13, 2020

Divergent tales of septuagenarian Bengal

By Rudabeh Shahid and Adil Hossain

As South Asia observes the seventy-third anniversary of the Partition of India, Bangladesh finds itself in conflict with the statistics cited by many to celebrate what they perceive to be rising prosperity. Simultaneously, the rise in communal tensions in West Bengal possibly signal long lasting consequences for India’s secular polity which might adversely affect Hindu-Muslim relations in South Asia […]

Bangladesh
Democratic Transitions

In the News

Aug 11, 2020

Riaz quoted in Nikkei Asian Review on China and Bangladesh-India relations

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh
China

In the News

Jul 12, 2020

Riaz in The Daily Star: A Tale of Misplaced Priorities

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh
Coronavirus

Feature

Jul 2, 2020

South Asia midyear pause: Taking stock of 2020

By South Asia Center

The specific events of the year’s first six months might have taken us by surprise but the political-economic dynamics that have shaped South Asia’s response to these new challenges did not. Across the region democracy and freedom of expression are challenged, and protectionist impulses are indulged in flailing response to calamitous economic strife. And the United States continues its slide into strategic irrelevance, exercising little leadership or interest in building stronger ties to this vital region.

Afghanistan
Bangladesh

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

As the Sino-Indian rivalry heats up, watch Bangladesh carefully

By Ali Riaz

Undoubtedly rivalry between India and China will intensify in South Asia in coming months and years ahead. With its position between the two rivals, Bangladesh will be a primary arena to watch the future competition.

Bangladesh
China

In the News

May 27, 2020

Riaz as a panelist at the UC Berkeley Institute for South Asia Studies: Vulnerable Populations and COVID-19: Bangladesh During a Global Pandemic

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh
Coronavirus
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Experts

Staff

Michael Kugelman

Resident Senior Fellow, South Asia

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Bangladesh

Millennium fellow

Sohara Mehroze Shachi

Team Lead - Research Facility, UNDP

Millennium Leadership Program

Bangladesh Civil Society

Fellow

Rudabeh Shahid

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Human Rights Civil Society