Yaraa do you think Bangladesh is that big off a player to receive such concentrated attention especially when most of these bigger players are more concerned with Afghanistan, the Middle East & the condition of their own economies ?
We never said that Bangladesh is a player, or that World War 3 would be fought over Bangladesh or something. It is not a regional power, and never will be. People here look at it from the wrong point of view.
Bangladesh is currently the world's second largest garment exporter. In the midst of globalization, can that be completely ignored by Western powers? No.
How much oil do you think are needed to transport the merchandise from Bangladesh all the way to America? A lot. Hence, the $hit-storm in the Middle East (partly).
Everything is inter-connected.
The Americans have reacted pretty seriously after the murder of labor rights leader, Aminul Islam; another issue they are not happy about. His group are still harassed by government goons.
What about Dr. Yunus's Grameen Bank and its foundation? Did you know that the Americans were using the micro-credit concept to help small businesses in Iraq?
And again, Dr. Yunus has a very good relationship with the US. So much so, he can call president Obama and meet up anytime. He was close to the Clintons back in the college days as well. The guy even has close friends in Hollywood.
Are the big boys of Wall Street interested in exploiting this micro-credit concept for the cause of interest-based banking? Very likely so. Therefore, Grameen Bank does come into the formula as it is the foundation of this concept right now.
They'll prioritize anything of value. Not just where wars are fought along with cool pictures of bada$$ military gear, wackjobs in pyjamas and all kinds of killings and shenanigans going on.
As for this trial, there are many, many articles criticizing it. Not from "Razakars", but Western sources. The key point is that it doesn't respect the ICT's due process, and actually make it an issue of AL vs. JI. Not that they are against the trial, they have in fact welcomed it from the very beginning.
Internet-Indians here make this a "Muslim vs. non-Muslim" thing, which it isn't.
Does America want more regional connectivity in South Asia and South East Asia? Yes. And so does China.
And what commitments are we seeing from India regarding regional connectivity and trade? Not much (yet).
In fact, regional trade within SAARC is very, very little. Even less than GCC.
It's a globalized world, and Bangladesh is a part of that network. Small, yes; but not to be completely ignored as per their standards. Especially given that we are in a region where there are two big emerging economies - India and China.
This is undoubtedly Asia's century. And Uncle Sam will try to get every piece of that.
Hence, their interference in Bangladesh's affairs are legitimate and logical. Not as important as Afghanistan and elsewhere, but legit.
I have no idea about Israel. And in fact, it is very inconsequential for us, as much as we are to them. I bet most Israelis don't even know where Bangladesh is located.
The best I can think of is that Bangladesh is a significant contributor in UN Peace Keeping missions. Regarded as the "cream of peace keeping". When we were to deploy in Lebanon after the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Israel opposed our deployment since we do not have diplomatic relations with them. We are however a part of UNIFIL. Given the Middle East's current turbulent environment, they may intend to have diplomatic relations with us.