Global Security Threat: Clifford Smith Urges U.S. Support for Sheikh Hasina’s Government in Bangladesh
Clifford Smith, Director of the Middle East Forum USA and a renowned international security analyst, has recently raised concerns about Jamaat-e-Islami, labelling the group as a significant global security threat.
Clifford Smith, Director of the Middle East Forum USA and a renowned international security analyst, has recently raised concerns about Jamaat-e-Islami, labelling the group as a significant global security threat. His call to action suggests that the U.S. should support the continuation of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh to maintain stability in the region.
Jamaat-e-Islami: A Threat to Global Security
Jamaat-e-Islami is a political force that has always been influential in Bangladesh, but this fact is controversial because of its relation with Islamist extremism. For example, the leadership of Jamaat opposed independence during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and committed atrocities against civilians. Ideologies and affiliations related to other extremist groups in South Asia make Jamaat a serious threat not only to Bangladesh but to global security as well. He thus points out that the extremist agenda of the organisation has been growing and has been looking for alliances with global jihadist movements like ISIS and al-Qaeda.
The Bangladeshi government has attempted to limit Jamaat’s influence, especially in pursuing the leadership on charges of war crimes. Still, the group has a somewhat shadowy presence throughout Bangladesh’s conservative and rural areas. Many around the world have criticised Jamaat for efforts in indoctrination, particularly in how it can destabilise Bangladesh and South Asia further.
Global Support for Jamaat and its Advocates
Smith also highlighted several figures, such as Ali Riaz and Toby Cadman, who have supported Jamaat internationally. According to him, these individuals and organisations continue to create a sympathetic narrative for Jamaat in global forums, ignoring its extremist and violent past. Smith emphasised the need to raise awareness about Jamaat’s dangerous agenda and its supporters, who work to legitimise the group in the eyes of the international community.
U.S. Sanctions on RAB: A Virtually Myopic Policy?
One of the most potent points of Smith has been his refusal to support the U.S. sanctions on Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB. The RAB is Bangladesh’s paramilitary force amid a reputation that uses operations against terror, and it has been a subject of sanctions by the U.S. for alleged human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings. In short, Smith describes the role of the RAB, arguing that while human rights issues need to be addressed, the RAB performs an important task in internal security for Bangladesh, particularly in the fight against extremist threats from elements such as Jamaat.
Smith also claims that these sanctions work against Bangladesh as they hamper the fight against terrorism within the country. In this light, he urged the government of the United States to reconsider its view on RAB and instead have more nuanced measures to ensure that the security forces of Bangladesh can continue working without international restrictions.
BNP-Jamaat Alliance: A Threat to Democracy?
Smith drove the point that the U.S. should understand that Bangladesh’s other, minor ally with the Islamist party, the BNP Jamaat’s political counterpart, is not a viable substitute for Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. The BNP-Jamaat combine that has sought to challenge the dominance of the Awami League has traditionally been an Islamist faction, making it a very dicey prospect for Bangladesh’s future.
This political stability is indeed of utmost importance, not only to the region but to international security at large. Smith added that even if Bangladesh has to cross many hurdles for the democratic landscape, engaging with the BNP-Jamaat alliance would merely promote the extremists and make the situation even worse.
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Conclusion
Bangladesh keeps experiencing a wave of political and security challenges, and therefore an analysis of Clifford Smith calls for a readjustment of policy in the country of the United States. A priority area would be to fight Jamaat-e-Islami’s influence and support in what concerns forces within Bangladesh committed to keeping stability and counteraction of extremism.
