Bangladesh’s Shift on the Rohingya Crisis

Realpolitik at a Cost?

The interim government of Bangladesh is signaling a major shift in its approach to the Rohingya crisis. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has acknowledged past policy failures while advocating informal engagement with the Arakan Army (AA), which controls much of Arakan State. The government is also exploring the creation of “safe zones” in Myanmar to prevent further refugee influxes.

These moves reflect a pragmatic recalibration, but they come with significant ethical and practical concerns. The AA’s recent alleged atrocities against Rohingyas, alongside the controversial "safe zone" proposal, raise questions about whether this approach prioritises regional geopolitics over refugee welfare.

My new OpEd for DVB explores these questions in detail. Read it here.