Exposing US gov't role in Bangladesh regime change: Why PM Sheikh Hasina was overthrown
Aug 17, 2024
auto_awesome
Muhammad Yunus, cultivated by the U.S. for decades and now interim leader of Bangladesh, discusses the recent regime change alongside geopolitical commentator Ben Norton. They delve into the U.S. support for protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the implications of a potential U.S. military base on Saint Martin's Island. The conversation highlights historical U.S. interventions, the international power dynamics involving India, China, and Russia, and the complex relationship between U.S. foreign policy and Bangladeshi politics.
The U.S. government played a pivotal role in the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina by supporting protests aimed at establishing a new interim leader aligned with American interests.
Muhammad Yunus, now interim leader, embodies the complexities of foreign influence in governance, particularly through microfinance practices that often exploit the very communities they aim to support.
Deep dives
Overthrow of Bangladesh's Government
In August 2023, the government of Bangladesh was overthrown following months of violent protests, leading to the appointment of Muhammad Yunus, a banker with longstanding ties to the U.S. government, as the interim leader. The U.S. quickly recognized his unelected administration, indicating a commitment to work with Bangladesh towards a democratic future. Yunus’s close relationship with U.S. officials dates back years, including receiving the prestigious U.S. Congressional Medal and the Medal of Freedom from President Obama. His ascent to power raises questions about foreign influence in local governance and the legitimacy of the new leadership.
Critique of Grameen Bank's Practices
Muhammad Yunus is best known for founding the Grameen Bank, which offered microloans to impoverished communities, yet it has faced criticism for high-interest rates that some consider exploitative. Reports suggest that average interest rates at the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh can reach as high as 20%, with similar rates in its U.S. counterpart, Grameen America, further perpetuating claims of financial exploitation under the guise of philanthropy. Despite the intended support for the poor, these practices reflect broader systemic issues within microfinance and its impacts on vulnerable populations. The discussion around Yunus's financial model underlines the complex relationship between aid and exploitation in the microfinance industry.
Geopolitical Dynamics and U.S. Involvement
The U.S. government's historical involvement in Bangladesh extends back to the founding of the nation, as evidenced by their support of coups that have disrupted democratic processes. Sheikh Hasina, the previous Prime Minister, accused the U.S. of supporting protests aimed at her ouster, alleging that foreign pressures sought to establish a U.S. military base in Bangladesh to counter Chinese influence in the region. This geopolitical maneuvering reflects a broader strategy where the U.S. seeks to control access to vital maritime routes and potentially undermine Chinese presence in South Asia. The intersection of local discontent and international geopolitics underscores the precarious balance of power and influence in Bangladesh.
Historical Context and Protest Origins
The protests that led to Hasina's government being toppled were fueled by legitimate grievances, especially regarding a controversial job quota system perceived as nepotistic and corrupt. The Awami League's policies, originally designed to honor freedom fighters of the 1971 liberation struggle, have faced scrutiny for favoring political allies and perpetuating inequality among citizens. Many protesters, especially youth, expressed frustration over high unemployment and limited opportunities due to perceived corruption within the government. The narratives emerging from these protests reflect not only local dissatisfaction but also the complexities of foreign influence in manipulating social movements for geopolitical ends.
The US government supported protests that overthrew Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. New interim leader Muhammad Yunus has been cultivated by Washington for decades. Ben Norton discusses the geopolitical reasons for the regime change; the roles of India, China, and Russia; and the Pentagon's desire to build a strategic military base on Saint Martin's Island.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irlrT3zvsqQ
Topics
0:00 Interim leader Muhammad Yunus: Made in USA
5:09 Overthrow of Sheikh Hasina
7:44 US military base on St. Martin's Island?
8:57 Myanmar
10:33 China's reliance on Strait of Malacca for oil imports
13:34 Bangladesh-China relations
14:47 BRICS
15:36 US pressure to join Quad
17:47 Russia warned of color revolution in Bangladesh
19:06 Arab Spring
19:58 Was Hasina's undelivered resignation speech fabricated?
22:26 Hasina: "White man" demanded military base in Bay of Bengal
23:58 Hasina: USA "can overthrow the government in any country"
25:36 US-backed 1975 coup against Sheikh Mujib
28:33 US-backed 2022 coup against Pakistan PM Imran Khan
31:00 US support for protests in Bangladesh
31:22 NED funding for Bangladeshi opposition
31:41 NED funding of opposition media outlet Netra News
34:13 Historical context: Partition, India, Pakistan, 1971 liberation war
38:40 Reasons for protests
41:13 US-backed color revolutions
46:21 US State Department pressure on Bangladesh
47:36 Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, & extremism
54:12 Outro
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode