Alliance Dispatch

Welcome! স্বাগতম! 

Bangladesh America Alliance is proud to introduce our newsletter, Alliance Dispatch. This is more than a newsletter, it’s a movement in motion - it bridges communities, amplifies voices, and fuels advocacy across borders. From policy updates and community highlights to cultural storytelling and calls to action, we keep you informed, inspired, and engaged. Whether you’re a changemaker, policymaker, or passionate citizen, this is your space. Our mission is to foster a strong, progressive, and democratic relationship between Bangladesh and its allies, working towards a future where justice, human rights, prosperity, and well-being flourish for all. We believe in the power of an informed and engaged community, and we invite you to get involved in this vital work. 

Inside this Inaugural Edition of Alliance Dispatch:

• Dispatch Column: Featuring thought-provoking analyses, insights, and commentaries from invited experts.

• Advocacy in Action: A review of our recent activities in advocacy, information dissemination, and outreach.

• Podcast Insights: An introduction to our flagship podcast series and insights from recent podcasts.

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Dispatch Column

In the Dispatch Column, guest columnists share sharp insights and commentaries on a variety of issues. For our launch edition, Democracy After Dictatorship: Bangladesh’s Generational Reforms Demand Global Partnership discusses Bangladesh’s complex political journey from authoritarianism to explore how democracy can be reclaimed, what it takes to sustain it, and how the international community can support democracy-building. 

Democracy After Dictatorship:
Bangladesh’s Generational Reforms Demand Global Partnership

Bangladesh recently once again rose from the ashes of authoritarianism to reclaim its democratic soul. In August 2024, a student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh brought down a fascist regime that had gripped the nation for 15 years. The fall of Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League’s autocratic rule marked more than a political shift – it opened a historic window for democratic renewal. This civic movement, now widely referred to as the “July Revolution,” ended an era marred by political repression, surveillance, violence, and systemic corruption.

Yet as history shows us, the collapse of an authoritarian regime is only the prologue. The real challenge lies ahead: building the democratic architecture that was so systematically dismantled.

Under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the new Interim Government has been navigating that complex terrain. In a region where democratic backsliding has often been normalized, Bangladesh is attempting a rare and ambitious path forward. But reforms – no matter how visionary – face real resistance from entrenched interests and are fraught with obstacles, both internal and external, that threaten to derail Bangladesh’s progress.

Reforming a Hollowed State

The Interim Government has initiated comprehensive reforms aimed at restoring democratic governance and the rule of law. Eleven reform commissions have been established, focusing on critical areas such as the constitution, electoral system, police, judiciary, anti-corruption measures, and public administration. Notably, six of these commissions have already submitted their reports, outlining actionable steps for systemic change.

For instance, the Constitutional Reform Commission proposed significant changes, including the introduction of a bicameral legislature, limiting the prime minister’s tenure to two terms, and an independent judiciary oversight board. Meanwhile, the Electoral Reform Commission made over 100 recommendations, such as empowering the Election Commission to suspend flawed elections for up to 90 days, contingent on Supreme Court approval, and disqualifying candidates accused of serious human rights abuses.

To ensure these reforms are rooted in broad consensus, a National Consensus Commission – comprising 26 political parties and 100 national leaders – was formed to co-develop a national charter of short- and long-term reforms. This approach, emphasizing dialogue over decree, marks a notable departure from Bangladesh’s often confrontational political culture.

The Reform-Election Dilemma

Timing the next national election has become a central debate. The Interim Government has proposed elections between December 2025 and June 2026, arguing that key reforms must precede voting to avoid a reversion to illiberal governance. By contrast, the largest political party currently, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), insists that elections be held within six months, citing democratic legitimacy. Without structural changes, an early election risks repeating the cycles of cronyism and clientelism that led to democratic collapse in the first place. Political responsibility at this critical juncture must mean prioritizing reformed and strengthened institutional foundations over opportunistic timelines.

Geopolitical Fault Lines: India and China

The regional geopolitical context adds further complexity. India, long aligned with Sheikh Hasina’s government, has refused to extradite her, despite evidence from a recent investigation by the United Nations that documented widespread corruption and human rights violations under her regime. India’s support for the Awami League has come at the cost of its credibility among Bangladesh’s democratic reformers.

Furthermore, there is credible evidence of coordinated disinformation campaigns originating from both Indian state actors and Awami League affiliates. Over 3000 false claims were debunked in 2024 alone. These campaigns aim to delegitimize the Interim Government and sway international opinion against Bangladesh’s democratic resurgence.  

On the other side of the geopolitical equation, Bangladesh’s relationship with China is evolving. China has offered support to the Interim Government, eyeing Bangladesh as a potential logistics and manufacturing partner in a shifting global economy. But while Chinese investment may offer economic lifelines and infrastructure development opportunities, the terms of such engagement must be transparent, equitable, and preserve Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy.

Economic Rebuilding: Between Recovery and Risk

Economic recovery has been central to the current rebuilding in Bangladesh. Despite uncertainty, investor sentiment has improved. At the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, over $260 million in FDI was pledged. Investor sentiment is improving as political stability returns, evidenced by a renewed appetite for capital markets and infrastructure projects. Remittances remain strong, bolstering foreign exchange reserves. The central Bangladesh Bank recently emphasized the need for enhanced regulatory oversight, particularly in banking, to stabilize economic expectations amid a global slowdown.

Yet true recovery requires accountability. The Interim Government has launched a global asset repatriation initiative to recover $234 billion looted during the Awami League era, as documented in a 397-page official report released in December 2024. These funds, when returned, are intended for critical public services, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Justice must not only be symbolic, it must be materially restorative.

A Call to the International Community

Global superpowers, including the UK, US, and EU, must resist the urge for India-centric diplomacy concerning Bangladesh, embracing principled partnerships over realpolitik. To support Bangladesh's democratic transition, global partners should endorse the Interim Government's comprehensive structural and systemic reforms aimed at building sustainable democratic institutions and ensuring free and fair elections. Furthermore, they should promote accountability by urging India to cease providing safe harbor for alleged war criminals and by establishing international mechanisms to combat disinformation, while also supporting fact-checking initiatives related to Bangladesh. Relatedly, partners should assist in asset recovery by providing legal and diplomatic frameworks for repatriating stolen public wealth. Supporting equitable investment is crucial, with a focus on collaborations that align with Bangladesh’s development goals and democratic principles, prioritizing climate-resilient and labor-friendly sectors. And finally, they must listen to Bangladeshis through fostered people-to-people engagement to understand the true stakes and counter misinformation.

A Final Reflection

Democracy is not restored with the fall of a dictator – it is rebuilt in the ruins of what authoritarianism hollowed out. Bangladesh’s journey will be long and messy. But it is also deeply hopeful. Let us support and honor this rebirth, whose journey is made possible through the courage of thousands of young people who risked their lives for a freer, fairer, and stronger Bangladesh. This is not just a Bangladeshi moment. It is a global one. Let the world confirm that solidarity with democratic transformation means more than press statements. It means investment in reforms, justice, and truth.

Dr. Farhana Sultana is a Professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University. This is modified from her recent op-ed in LA Progressives on 10 May 2025.

Advocacy in Action

Within the short time of our founding, the Bangladesh America Alliance has led multiple advocacy efforts focused on telling accurate stories of a post-revolution Bangladesh. Recently, there has been a concerted disinformation campaign against Bangladesh, carried out by the regime ousted in 2024 and Indian groups allied with it, aimed at portraying Bangladesh as sliding towards extremism. Our campaigns to counter this are carried out via broadcast, print, and especially social media. Some examples:

Written Protest to the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention: In March 2025, we issued a formal protest to the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, condemning its promotion of misinformation about Bangladesh—including a problematic social media post and a flawed Red Flag Alert based on alleged false flag operations aimed at discrediting the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. We highlighted how the Institute propagated the disinformation consistently published by the Awami League, which has been linked to years of authoritarian rule, widespread human rights abuses, and a UN-confirmed massacre of peaceful protesters in 2024.

Petition and Fact Sheet on Disinformation in Bangladesh: In February 2025, we launched a petition and disseminated an important factsheet urging U.S. lawmakers to address a disinformation campaign by Indian media and the Awami League aimed at undermining Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, falsely portraying it as Islamist-controlled. We exposed India’s vested interests and tactics, like AI-generated deepfakes and exaggerated minority persecution claims. We called for independent investigations into communal violence, educating Congress on disinformation sponsored by India and the Awami League, and shaping U.S. policy based on Bangladesh’s post-July revolution realities. 

Coming Soon: A debrief on our May 2025 onsite protest in Concord, New Hampshire, opposing House Resolution 11 (HR 11), which misrepresents the current political situation and people of Bangladesh. The resolution, championed by Representative Aboul Khan, who has ties to the New England wing of the ousted Awami League, spreads factually inaccurate narratives aimed at rehabilitating the image of the autocratic former leader Sheikh Hasina. Follow our event page for updates and full coverage!

Podcast Insights 

Bangladesh and the World, the flagship podcast series from the Bangladesh America Alliance, is a vibrant series of discussions dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and understanding between Bangladesh and the global community. The podcast aims to enrich understanding, cut through the noise, spark meaningful dialogue, and amplify diverse voices through thought-provoking debate. From policymakers and scholars to artists and activists, from tech entrepreneurs to business leaders, we’ve hosted an inspiring array of guests, exploring topics like Bangladesh’s political future, multilateral and bilateral ties, economy, climate resilience, cultural identity, global partnerships, and more. Join us on this journey to discover the intersections of Bangladesh’s past, present, and future with the world stage, available on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@bdamericaalliance.

Here are some highlights of the top three recent podcasts:

 In February, Bangladesh and the World hosted Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a renowned environmental lawyer, 2009 Goldman Environmental Prize and 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner, and adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government on “Climate and Environmental Policy.” We had a powerful discussion on her lifelong battle for environmental justice in Bangladesh. She highlighted her legal efforts to regulate the hazardous shipbreaking industry, combat deforestation, and curb pollution. Hasan emphasized the critical link between environmental protection and human rights, advocating for community-driven sustainability to secure a greener future for Bangladesh. She discussed the environmental portfolio that she currently manages, the need for stricter environmental regulations, and strategies to balance economic growth with ecological preservation. 

In this riveting episode of Bangladesh and the World on "Tackling Disinformation in Bangladesh" with Shafiqul Alam, journalist, former AFB Bureau Chief, and current Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, we addressed the escalating challenge of disinformation in the country’s political and social landscape. Alam discussed how false narratives, often spread via social media and external media outlets, destabilize society and undermine democratic processes. He highlighted the Interim Government’s commitment to countering misinformation while upholding freedom of expression, citing efforts to promote transparent journalism and investigate biased reporting. Key points include the role of foreign influences in spreading propaganda, the need for public media literacy, and strategies to safeguard Bangladesh’s democratic transition ahead of upcoming elections. 

In April, Bangladesh and the World hosted Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zoning Agency (BEZA), just as the 2025 Bangladesh Investment Summit concluded. He delivered an optimistic outlook on Bangladesh’s economic trajectory, spotlighting the goals and achievements of the investment summit, such as strategies to attract global investors, improve the business climate, streamline regulatory processes, and counter challenges like U.S. tariffs. Chowdhury underscored Bangladesh’s resilience and reforms to showcase its untapped potential and the Interim Government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and stabilize the economy amidst political challenges. He addresses hurdles like global perceptions and trade disruptions, emphasizing reforms to enhance the business climate and foster sustainable growth for economic resilience and long-term prosperity.

Check out all of the podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel youtube.com/@bdamericaalliance.

Join Our Growing Community!

The Bangladesh America Alliance is more than just an alliance of volunteers, it's a vibrant community of individuals passionate about justice, democracy, and a prosperous future for Bangladesh and its partnerships worldwide. Your support, engagement, and voice are invaluable as we continue our important work.

We invite you to learn more about our initiatives, get involved in our advocacy campaigns and outreach, and connect with fellow members who share your commitment.

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