Divergent tales of septuagenarian Bengal

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
Divergent tales of septuagenarian Bengal

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
Divergent tales of septuagenarian Bengal

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

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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

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2020

Amid COVID-19, Bangladesh turns its back on Rohingya

By Imrul Islam

Confronted with the need for increased coordination between aid agencies and government entities, Bangladesh has instead chosen to alienate the Rohingya community even further. Food is running out, water is running low, and essential programming to prevent gender-based violence in the camps has ground to a halt.

Bangladesh Coronavirus

In the News

May 12, 2020

Riaz in The Daily Star: Kajol might not be able to speak out, BUT WE MUST

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Human Rights

In the News

May 12, 2020

Riaz quoted in Nikkei Asian Review on COVID-19 and poverty in Bangladesh

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2020

A pandemic of persecution in Bangladesh

By Ali Riaz

Since COVID-19 hit the country in early March, the government has begun to hound journalists and social activists, arresting and throwing them into jail for criticizing the lack of preparedness and theft of relief materials by ruling party leaders allocated for the most vulnerable segments of society. By late March dozens of people, including journalists, academics, opposition activists, a doctor, and students, were arrested by the government for posting content on social media critical of the government.

Bangladesh Civil Society
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Experts

Fellow

Ali Riaz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Media Non-Traditional Threats

Millennium fellow

Sohara Mehroze Shachi

Team Lead - Research Facility, UNDP

Millennium Leadership Program

Bangladesh Civil Society

Fellow

Rudabeh Shahid

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Human Rights Civil Society