As conflict escalates in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remains as dire as ever. Recent developments – including the Arakan Army’s decision to ban the term “Rohingya” in areas under its control, dwindling food aid for refugees in Bangladesh, and shifting geopolitical stances – areContinue Reading
The humanitarian and economic consequences of the climate crisis are especially pronounced in Asia – a region highly vulnerable to climate change and simultaneously grappling with economic pressures, security concerns, and geopolitical tensions. Climate action in many Asian nations remains heavily leadership-driven, making it particularly susceptible to disruption during politicalContinue Reading
On February 28, a new political force emerged in Bangladesh, signaling a potential shift in the country’s political landscape. The National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by the students who led the July 2024 uprising, represents a bold attempt to redefine Bangladeshi politics with its vision of a “Second Republic” andContinue Reading
Militaries, which are among the biggest consumers of fuel, account for 5.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. If the world’s militaries were a country, they would have the fourth-highest carbon footprint after China, the United States, and India. With 750 bases worldwide, the U.S. military’s emissions are the largest,Continue Reading
Each month, ACLED’s Asia Pacific Team collects information on the dates, actors, locations, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protest events in the region. Details below on significant developments in February 2025 in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. Bangladesh: Hasina’s speech prompts demolitions ofContinue Reading
On February 9, the interim government of Bangladesh introduced Operation Devil Hunt, driven by the Bangladesh joint forces to maintain law and order. The government presented this operation as necessary to address criminal activities and mob violence. The operation will continue until all the “devils are rooted out,” said HomeContinue Reading
A gold jewelry businessman was brutally attacked and robbed in Dhaka’s Rampura area on the night of February 23. A group of five to six men, armed with a gun and machetes, are reported to have assaulted him as he returned home from work. They beat him up and thenContinue Reading
Bangladesh is at a pivotal crossroads. The caretaker government of Muhammad Yunus has pledged to hold elections by the end of the year, but a simple return to the ballot box won’t be enough. Without urgent reforms to the country’s justice and security sectors, the country risks backsliding into theContinue Reading
In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s political upheaval, Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus, now the chief adviser to the interim government, has publicly expressed interest in reinvigorating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on a number of occasions. Yunus has expressed his intention to take steps to reviveContinue Reading
Six months after Bangladesh was born anew, the country is emerging from the ashes facing the rising sun of Japan enforcing dependence on outdated fossil fuels dressed up as foreign aid. Bangladeshis are living in hope. The country’s interim government is led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was awarded aContinue Reading
