STRATEGICALLY SPEAKING
Who killed democracy in Bangladesh?
The recent by-polls represent the state of democracy in our country fairly accurately.
US SANCTIONS / A ‘tonic’ for our security forces?
It is unfortunate that security agencies have been used in a manner that has generated more fear in people’s mind than confidence and faith in them.
Please spare us your ‘khela’
We do not know what exactly the Awami League general secretary means when he warns the BNP and advises his cadres to gird for khela on December 10.
Next Election: A Replay of Old Politics?
It is apparent, from what has transpired in the last fortnight, that any attempt to exercise political rights, and to seek space, will be curbed by force.
What have we done with our strategic assets?
Strategic assets are those that demand attention from the highest levels of the state.
Democracy means more than the ability to vote
Unfortunately, winning an election has become the synonym for achieving power.
Another ring in the shackle to gag the media
Is not the media already under duress, and its function heavily encumbered by the Digital Security Act (DSA), without needing a new law which is now on the anvil of the Bangladesh Press Council (BPC)?
Our skewed legal system
Time and again, it has been proven that, when it comes to justice in Bangladesh, some are more equal than others.
US-Iran: It is for US to halt the negative spiral
One was willing to credit Trump with some degree of sanity when he rescinded the order to retaliate with force against Iran, till he chose to go for new sanctions.
Modi’s victory: A win for far-right Hinduism
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to power with a renewed mandate, with more seats and even more percentage of votes. Apparently, Modi’s policies have gone down well with the public as the margin of win on both the counts of number of seats and percentage of votes received, which rose by nearly 33 percent compared to 2014, shows. So, what does another five years of BJP mean for the internal politics of India and its external relationship with its neighbours and the rest of the world?
Will the hawks in Washington win?
It is very apparent that President Trump is blowing hot and cold in the same breath on Iran. While one moment it seems that he has climbed down from his high horse on the Iran issue, the next moment he threatens Iran with dire consequences. His confusing stance indicates an ambiguous mind, his actions not a product of rational process of thought but of a mind pulverised by arrogance and clogged by preconceived notions about international issues, particularly Iran and the Middle East.
BNP's hard choice: To join or not to join?
Understandably, the local leaders of the BNP are finding themselves in Hamlet's shoes having to decide on the next course of action as regards the five of its party men who created a unique record of getting elected, i.e. to join or not to join the parliament?
Caught between 'crossfire' and 'self-defence'
The greatest gift that a government can earn for itself is the trust of the general public. And the best way to do so is to be transparent on matters of grave public concern and come clean on any policy failures.
Surrender of the fourth estate?
The media has been looked at both with derision and awe for its capacity to influence the public mind and hold the authority to account. It has also been accused of “misinforming” the public and overplaying its role.
Can citizens' expectations from the police be met?
It was absorbing to read the very insightful article by an esteemed columnist of this newspaper entitled, “A citizen's expectations from the police.”
Education doesn't make girls 'disobedient'
There are many reasons that have been offered from time to time and over the ages by a section of the Muslim clergy to keep women ensconced within the four walls of the house, but never has one heard such a comment that girls should not go to school because doing so would make them “disobedient”. This comment was uttered by the head of Hefazat-e-Islam (HI), a person who is known to be well-versed in various aspects of Islam. And that is what makes the statement all the more surprising.
Boycotting parliament is not the answer
Despite all the shenanigans that had been resorted to, to win the election, we will have a new parliament for another five years.
It may amount to a pyrrhic victory
I had concluded my previous column with the assessment that the Awami League would in no way countenance a situation where the BNP secured the second highest number of seats so that it could not lay claim to being the opposition in the parliament.
