Is Bangladesh veering into a vortex of geopolitics?

Bangladesh's sovereignty is at risk at the moment. Once a serene delta, this land is being transformed into a place for global competition for influence. The domestic theater is even more harrowing. There is a frenzied festival of power-not a celebration, but a collective delusion. Everyone here aspires to be a king, but where is the citizenry? Peace for the ordinary man has become a museum relic; it was elusive yesterday, and it remains a myth today. The country is treated as a commodity, torn apart by those who can grab a piece. The tug-of-war persists. Will the rope snap? Or will the nation stand at the precipice, watching its final sunset? This is no longer a question of politics; it is a question of existence.

Bangladesh has become a strategic epicenter in South Asia. India relies on it for the security of its 'Chicken's Neck' corridor and the stability of its Northeast. Conversely, China seeks dominance through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Meanwhile, the United States counters Chinese influence with its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). Caught between these three titans, Bangladesh is the victim of a relentless squeeze. To please one is to alienate another. In this clash of giants, national interests are often relegated to the backseat, overshadowed by the desire to appease foreign masters. This raises a haunting question in the public mind: are our decisions truly made in Dhaka, or are they dictated by Delhi, Beijing, or Washington? This crisis of sovereignty is eroding our national dignity by the day.

A state invites contempt when its internal foundation is weak. For years, Myanmar has not only burdened us with the Rohingya crisis but has also challenged our sovereignty by violating our airspace and engaging in border provocations. Our lack of staunch international allies and a stagnant diplomacy have emboldened a country like Myanmar to look us in the eye with defiance. When a nation is consumed by internal strife, neighbors turn opportunistic. The Myanmar junta knows well that Bangladesh's political factions are too busy suppressing each other to forge the national unity required for border security. This vulnerability allows them to repeatedly threaten our maritime rights and territorial integrity.

Politics in Bangladesh has devolved from public service into a primitive struggle for the "throne." This lust is so intoxicating that leaders are willing to sacrifice the greater national interest. There is no room for dialogue or consensus; only an unholy competition for mutual annihilation. When muscle and money dominate, the ideological worker is replaced by the opportunist and the sycophant. Civil rights exist only in election manifestos, while in reality, the people are treated as mere cheap labor and vote banks. This obsession is steering the country toward permanent instability.

The influence of religion in our social fabric is undeniable, yet its recent weaponization for political gain is alarming. While one faction attacks religious values under the guise of progressivism, others use faith as a political shield to grab power. This polarization has erected invisible walls within society. Accusations of "apostasy" or "treason" are traded freely. This divide has moved from the streets into the very households of the people. The spread of hate in the name of religion and the rise of extremism have poisoned the peace. Ordinary citizens, who merely wish to practice their faith in tranquility, are being sacrificed in this radical political game, risking a long-term civil conflagration.

Today, power in Bangladesh lacks a defined center; instead, a terrifying environment persists where "everyone is powerful." From local neighborhood leaders to high-ranking bureaucrats, a culture of impunity has taken root. From the police to the judiciary, the stain of politicization is everywhere. Consequently, the common man has lost all avenues for redress. When the will of the individual supersedes the rule of law, a state descends into Matsyanyaya-the law of the jungle. Files do not move in government offices without bribes, and justice is unattainable without political leverage. This lack of regulation has plunged society into deep despair; people feel like foreigners in their own land, devoid of security for life or property.

The cries of the common people are buried beneath the glitter of "mega-projects" and cosmetic development. The economy is currently held hostage by syndicates and a predatory wealthy class. While the prices of essential goods skyrocket, incomes remain stagnant. Systemic looting of the banking sector, and massive capital flight have pushed the economy to the brink. The middle class, unable to beg and unwilling to scream, is silently eroding. Peace has long since vanished from the dining tables of the masses. While the ruling elite obsesses over growth statistics, the rural farmer and the urban laborer survive on half-meals. This economic disparity is creating a powder keg that could ignite at any moment.

To destroy a nation, one does not need a war; destroying its education system suffices. Our education system has become a laboratory for ill-conceived experiments. From leaked question papers to textbook controversies, the future generation is being pushed into darkness. Institutions of higher learning have become factories for political cadres rather than centers of excellence. The brightest minds are fleeing the country (Brain Drain), while those who remain find that loyalty is valued over merit. When sycophancy becomes the yardstick for success, a nation faces nothing but humiliation. Similarly, the cultural sphere is stagnant, replacing creativity with flattery, hollowing out the nation's spine.

Freedom of speech, a cornerstone of democracy, exists today only on paper. Draconian laws like the Digital Security Act or its successors are used to stifle dissent. Journalists fear writing the truth, and citizens hesitate to voice their grievances on social media. This "culture of fear" is a hallmark of autocracy. When a society cannot vent its frustrations, they simmer into radicalism. Closing the path for free thought and healthy criticism leaves the country populated by talentless sycophants who ultimately lead the rulers to their downfall. Fundamental rights are now being treated as acts of charity.

Bangladesh is currently immersed in a strange darkness. Beset by the predatory eyes of foreign powers and the internal greed of political factions, the nation is being fragmented. Peace was always elusive, but the current instability strikes at our very existence. Yet, there is no room for despair; the history of this land is one of resilience and struggle. Political entities must realize that power is fleeting, but history is an uncompromising judge. To end this "tug-of-war," we must establish a transparent, neutral, and inclusive system where the sanctity of the vote is upheld. Only a politics of self-respect, rather than subservience to foreign powers, can rescue us from this abyss. Otherwise, we will leave behind a shackled and dilapidated land for our successors-a legacy no one truly desires.