Geopolitics, imperialism and Bangladesh: Lessons from History
Geopolitics is a vast and complex subject involving geography, economics, military power, diplomacy and the strategic interests of nations.
I am not a geopolitical expert; as a conscious citizen and freelance writer, I would like to share a few observations with my readers, leaving detailed analysis to historians and experts.
History shows that geography has always influenced the rise and fall of nations.
From the conquests of Alexander the Great and Mahmud of Ghazni to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and European colonial powers, powerful states repeatedly sought to control territories, trade routes and natural resources.
The Ottoman Empire dominated large parts of Europe, Asia and Africa for centuries.
Following its collapse after the First World War, the political map of the Middle East changed dramatically, with Britain and France gaining considerable influence.
European colonial powers also established vast empires in Asia and Africa, extracting resources and often suppressing local populations.
Britain became the world’s largest colonial power, giving rise to the famous saying that the sun never set on the British Empire.
The discovery of the Americas by Europeans opened another chapter of conquest and colonisation, bringing enormous suffering to indigenous peoples.
Later, the United States emerged from a former European colony to become a global economic, technological and military superpower.
After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union became the principal rivals of the Cold War.
Their competition extended across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Vietnam War demonstrated that military superiority does not necessarily guarantee political victory..
Afghanistan provided another lesson: both the Soviet Union and later the United States faced enormous difficulties in converting military power into lasting political control.
These historical experiences raise an important question: Is geopolitics sometimes simply another name for the pursuit of power and influence?
Certainly, not every international alliance or intervention is imperialism. Nations have legitimate security and economic interests.
Yet history also shows that powerful countries have sometimes justified intervention in the name of democracy, security or human rights while simultaneously pursuing strategic interests.
Such double standards have contributed to conflicts, instability and immense human suffering.
Today the international order is becoming increasingly multipolar. The United States, China, Russia, India and the European Union, among others, are competing for economic, technological and strategic influence.
The competition now extends beyond territory to energy, trade, technology, ports, sea lanes, artificial intelligence, finance and cyberspace.
The continuing U.S.–Iran confrontation has again demonstrated the importance of geography.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but vital international waterway through which a substantial portion of the world’s energy supplies passes. Instability there can affect oil prices, shipping costs and economies far beyond the Middle East.
Where Does Bangladesh Stand?
Bangladesh occupies a strategically important position at the head of the Bay of Bengal, linking South and Southeast Asia.
Its geographical location gives it considerable economic and strategic importance. It should therefore be extremely careful not to become a battleground for competition among major powers.
India has vital interests in the region; China has developed extensive economic and infrastructure relations with Bangladesh; and the United States has growing strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal.
Japan and other countries are also important development and economic partners.
Bangladesh should therefore be extremely careful not to become a battleground for competition among major powers.
Our foreign policy should be based on strategic balance and national interest.
We should maintain friendly relations with India, China, the United States, Japan, the European Union, Russia, the Middle East and other countries without becoming excessively dependent on any one of them.
Bangladesh should strengthen its economy, diversify trade and energy supplies, develop its ports and maritime resources, protect its sovereignty and invest heavily in education, technology and human resources.
Above all, we need national unity. A politically and socially divided nation becomes vulnerable to external influence. Our differences should never be allowed to compromise our national interests.
We should learn from history without becoming prisoners of it. The colonial era may have formally ended, but the struggle for influence, resources, markets and strategic advantage continues in new forms.
Bangladesh therefore needs neither confrontation nor dependence, but wisdom, balanced diplomacy, economic strength and national unity.
Friendship with all, hostility towards none, dependence on none—and Bangladesh’s national interest above all.
(The writer: Ex -Country Manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Frankfurt, Germany)
