With an eye to fortifying its Indo-Pacific strategy, Australia seeks to expand its South Asian engagement beyond its current focus on India. Bangladesh, a nation pulsating with economic potential and a population exceeding 160 million, is seen by Australia as a potential “Asian tiger” poised for a future leap. Recognizing its strategic stake in the northeast Indian Ocean’s stability, Australia is invested in maintaining maritime security and supporting regional nations against external pressure. To this end, Australia desires to cultivate a rapport with the Bangladeshi military through targeted exchanges and educational opportunities. Furthermore, Australia is keen to assist in bolstering Bangladesh’s maritime capabilities in select areas. These endeavors represent the core of Australia’s strategic interests centered on Bangladesh.
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News and Analyses of events in Western Europe
Reassessing the Rome Statute of the ICC and the Urgent Need for Bangladesh’s Withdrawal
In recent years, Western nations have been increasingly outspoken about the issue of human rights abuses by the government in Bangladesh. Western NGOs and INGOs, often referred to as defenders of human rights, have asserted that they have documented these crimes and have urged Western governments to take action. Consequently, the Rapid Action Battalion was sanctioned by the United States. However, the US’s involvement did not stop there. It exerted its influence prior to the last general election, demonstrating a lack of support for the current government. It is evident to the US that the current ruling party of Bangladesh does not align with the US’s policy of containing China. Therefore, the US will continue its efforts to effect political change, a prospect that the members of the ruling party leader may find unwise, not only for the potential loss of state power but also for the possibility of being tried both domestically and internationally under the Rome Statute of the ICC, which the law ministry ratified without any geopolitical foresight.
Read moreThe War in Ukraine and the NATO-Russia Power Play in a Comfortably Numb World
The strategic rationale for NATO’s enlargement was rooted in both idealism and realpolitik. Proponents argued that expanding NATO would consolidate a Europe “whole and free,” ensuring ‘’stability and democracy’’ in regions historically susceptible to authoritarianism. However, critics contended that this rationale failed largely when the war in the Balkans broke out in the late 1990s and the enlargement was considered a provocative move, encircling Russia and undermining its regional security interests. This dichotomy between Western aspirations for a hegemonic international order and Russia’s perception of encirclement set the stage for the geopolitical discord that would eventually manifest in the war in Ukraine.
Read moreThe Houthis and the Global Trend Towards Offensive Realism Redefining Resistance
This maneuver by the Houthis has precipitated a crisis in the US’s hegemonic status. America’s foremost objective has been to contain the Israel-Palestine conflict, preventing its escalation into a full-fledged regional war. However, the involvement of the Houthis, coupled with Hezbollah’s participation, transforms the conflict into a regional affair, albeit one restrained by diplomatic efforts and international pressure.
Read moreA Geostrategic Perspective of the Decline of Hegemonic Stability Theory and Emergence of Augmentism
The proposed “Augmentation Theory” or “Augmentism” represents a comprehensive approach to geostrategy that integrates key elements from the Theory of Defensive Realism, the Theory of Balance of Power, the Theory of Neoclassical Realism, and the Theory of Liberal Institutionalism. Augmentism is a very delicate balancing act that will seek to work only on the positive and sustainable growth of international relations, not otherwise, but one that can lead an emerging power into a more secure and influential position in the global arena.
Read moreBangladesh Must Shift Narrative from Climate Vulnerability to Energy Sovereignty in the Face of Geopolitical Climate Agendas
It’s essential to acknowledge that Bangladesh’s branding as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations can have a discouraging effect on foreign investments. Typically, investors tend to steer clear of regions with such branding. If Bangladesh leans heavily on climate funds and aligns closely with Western narratives regarding their climate agenda’s economic implications, it could face significant challenges in achieving a sovereign energy mix that ensures a balanced energy supply. Such a balanced mix would be less susceptible to the ups and downs of geopolitical turbulence. The energy future of Bangladesh is not merely a challenge; it’s an exhilarating opportunity to seize control of its destiny in a world defined by shifting energy paradigms and geopolitical rivalries.
Read moreThe IMEC Initiative: A Game Changer or a Mere Mirage?
From a geopolitical standpoint, IMEC can be viewed as a strategic response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a program that has extended China’s influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe. By cultivating stronger bonds between these three important geopolitical zones, IMEC has the potential to offer an alternative pathway for nations seeking to diversify their economic ties and reduce dependency on China.
Read moreBangladesh Must Dance with France in Strategic Harmony
The Bay of Bengal stands as a vital intersection of maritime trade and strategic interests, holding immense geopolitical importance. Home to nations like Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, each with unique geopolitical aspirations and alliances, this region is also at the forefront of a technological revolution, especially in security, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. With its robust technological capabilities, France is poised to play a significant role in shaping the region’s technological landscape. Within the Bay of Bengal lie abundant commercial opportunities, spanning trade, investment, and infrastructure development. France’s Indo-Pacific strategy aims to unlock these opportunities for French businesses by fostering collaboration with regional partners. This approach sets France apart from some of its allies, like the United States and Australia, who have adopted a more confrontational and competitive stance through the controversial AUKUS security partnership, which drew significant criticism, notably from France, leading to the cancellation of its submarine deal with Australia.
Read moreThe High Stakes Gambit: Russia’s Enigmatic Quest in Ukraine
Russia’s strategic aspirations in Ukraine remain within reach, albeit at a considerable price. The road ahead promises to be protracted and laden with significant costs. To secure its objectives, Russia must persistently channel substantial resources into bolstering its military and intelligence capabilities, all the while nurturing an unwavering political resolve to see the conflict through to its culmination.
Read moreNiger’s Military Coup: Shifting Alliances and Geopolitical Implications in the Sahel
The area where central Mali, northern Burkina Faso, and western Niger meet at the border has become the center of the brutal war in the area. Frustration with how democratic governments backed by the west handled security, as well as what people in Bamako saw as the ineffectiveness of French soldiers (who were at first welcomed), led to changes in leadership in Bamako and made things worse with France, so French troops had to leave. Similar anger in Burkina Faso led to a coup d’état, which made ties with France even worse.
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