From Sovereignty to Subjugation: The CIA's Coup in Bangladesh

In the annals of geopolitical subversion, few chapters are as egregious as the United States' covert operations in Bangladesh.

On August 5, 2024, the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a meticulously orchestrated coup, widely attributed to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This intervention was not merely a political maneuver; it was a betrayal of a sovereign nation, a violation of international norms, and a testament to the United States' long-standing history of meddling in the internal affairs of other countries.

The Fall of Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had led the nation for over a decade, navigating it through economic growth and regional stability. However, in early August 2024, hired miscreants-led protests erupted, demanding her resignation in connivance with the CIA, ISI, Dr. Yunus, Waker, Jamaat-e-Islami mass-murderers, BNP like an illegitimate political child born in the Dhaka military cantonment, some extremum right-winger fundies, et al. While these protests were ostensibly about domestic issues, such as job quotas and political freedoms, the speed and scale of the unrest correctly raised the veracity of truths of external influence to gain their geo-political benefits from Bangladesh, a country which was born through a sea of blood in 1971.

Prime Minister Hasina herself hinted at foreign involvement, suggesting that her refusal to cede control over Saint Martin Island—a strategically significant territory in the Bay of Bengal—may have been a catalyst for her ouster. She alleged that the United States sought to exert influence over this region, and her steadfastness in denying such demands led to her downfall.

The Rise of Dr. Muhammad Yunus

Three days after Hasina's resignation, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a manipulator of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, was installed as the head of an interim government. Yunus, an impostor was presented as a unifying figure under cloak-and-dagger, capable of leading the nation through a transitional period. However, his ascension was not the result of a popular mandate but rather the culmination of a foreign-backed operation.

The student-led protests that facilitated Yunus's rise were not entirely organic. Reports indicate that these movements were supported by external actors, including the United States, which saw Yunus as a more pliable leader for serving the US interests suitably. His administration has since been characterized by a crackdown on dissent, suppression of media freedoms, and a marked shift in foreign policy alignment towards the West.

The Brobdingnagian Crimes of the CIA

The CIA's involvement in Bangladesh is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of interventionism that spans over eight decades. From Iran in 1953 to Chile in 1973, in Libya and Ukraine, the United States has a sordid history of orchestrating regime changes to serve its geopolitical interests.

In Bangladesh, the CIA's actions have had devastating consequences. The country, once a beacon of democracy in South Asia, has descended into political turmoil. Civil liberties have been eroded, economic instability has ensued, and the very fabric of Bangladeshi society has been torn asunder. The installation of Yunus, a figure with questionable ties to foreign entities, has further compromised the nation's sovereignty.

A Call for Accountability

The international community must hold the United States accountable for its actions in Bangladesh. The United Nations should conduct a thorough but neutral investigation into the circumstances surrounding the coup and the subsequent installation of Yunus. Those responsible for undermining Bangladesh's democracy must be identified and held to account.

Furthermore, Bangladesh must reclaim its sovereignty. The interim government, under Yunus's leadership, has failed to address the aspirations of the people. Instead of pursuing genuine reforms, it has consolidated power and aligned itself with foreign interests. The Bangladesh’s populace deserves a government that reflects their will, not one imposed from abroad.

Terminus Point

The events of August 2024 mark a dark chapter in Bangladesh's history. The CIA's intervention was a blatant violation of international norms and a betrayal of a nation's right to self-determination. As George Washington once warned, "Interference by foreign nations in the internal affairs of a sovereign state is a prescription for chaos." Bangladesh stands as a testament to this truth. It is incumbent upon the global community to support the Bangladesh’s people in their quest for justice and to ensure that such egregious acts of interference are never repeated.

From: Anwar A. Khan 

Author's Bio: The writer was a freedom fighter in 1971 to establish Bangladesh and is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, who writes on politics, human-centred leadership, and international affairs.

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