How America’s Regime Change Strategy Works: Bangladesh Chapter – Firstpost

Recent revelations from documents obtained by The Sunday Guardian reveal a US-backed “initiative” that sought to orchestrate regime change in Bangladesh. Since its launch in early 2019, this “initiative” has witnessed a concerted effort by US officials and organizations to influence the political landscape in Dhaka and challenge the leadership of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Carried out primarily by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and funded by grants from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), this “initiative” highlights the troubling implications of foreign intervention in domestic politics.

The PAIRS programme: a template for regime change

The PAIRS (Promoting Accountability, Inclusion and Supporting Resilience) program was strategically designed to counter perceived Indian influence in Bangladeshi politics. Internal documents suggest that this effort was part of a broader agenda to support democratic institutions and political reforms in countries of significant geopolitical interest to the US. With significant funding from USAID and NED, the PAIRS program ran for nearly two years (22 months to be exact), ending in January 2021. It aimed to increase political participation and amplify anti-authoritarian voices in Bangladesh through various activities including advocacy grants, art. projects and support for civil society organizations.

The PAIRS program used a multifaceted approach similar to other protests organized globally at US insistence, involving collaborations with religious extremist organizations such as Jamaat-e-Islami and US-funded “civil society” groups. This dynamic created a situation where violent street protests escalated tensions, while civil society groups served as the public face of dissent, allowing US-backed political parties to maneuver amid the chaos.

Key players included University of Dhaka students such as Nahid Islam and Nusrat Tabassum, who have ties to American and European initiatives. This infiltration of educational institutions illustrates how foreign interests can exploit local actors to advance their agendas. The wider implications of these actions are significant.

The use of extremist-led street fronts alongside student protests reflects a global pattern recognized by Western media. For example, The Guardian reported on US-sponsored regime change initiatives in Eastern Europe, detailing how civil disobedience influenced elections in the region.

Geopolitical Considerations Documents associated with the PAIRS program reveal a critical objective: counterbalancing India’s decade-long influence in Bangladesh. Viewing India’s support for the Awami League as problematic, the US sought to reshape political dynamics in South Asia while seeking to influence Bangladesh’s domestic politics and diplomatic relations with India. The above reflects a calculated move within the broader US geopolitical strategy, emphasizing the complex interplay of local and regional politics. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the implications of such initiatives raise crucial questions about democracy and sovereignty in countries like Bangladesh, where external influences threaten to redefine political power dynamics.

National Endowment for Democracy under control

The NED has faced substantial criticism both domestically and internationally for its activities. Former US Congressman Ron Paul condemned the NED for misusing taxpayer money to support foreign politicians aligned with US interests, arguing that these actions, disguised as “democracy promotion”, violate US laws by rigging foreign elections with “soft money” .

Historically, the controversial practices of NEDs have attracted severe attention. In the 1980s, Congressman Barney Frank proposed cutting NED funding, arguing that the government should not use taxpayer money for political purposes such as supporting foreign unions.

Furthermore, The New York Times reported how the NED undermined Haiti’s democratically elected government, contributing to that nation’s instability. Stephen Kinzer, a former reporter for The New York Times, revealed in the New York Review of Books that the NED collaborates with the CIA and USAID to support insurgent forces aiming to overthrow regimes unfavorable to the US. This underscores a pattern of interventionism that seeks to empower opponents of US adversaries, often at the cost of local democracy and stability.

In addition to its activities in Bangladesh, NED has funded initiatives in Taiwan, partnering with the Democratic Progressive Party in 2022 to co-host a Global Assembly to unite “democratic forces” against perceived threats. In July 2023, NED President Damon Wilson awarded Tsai Ing-wen the “Democracy Service Medal” at the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, underscoring NED’s strategy to support political movements aligned with US interests. This involvement risks escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, potentially causing conflict.

However, NED-funded organizations often face internal challenges. For example, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), which advocates for the human rights of Uyghurs, is facing a leadership scandal involving sexual harassment. Despite reports from NOTUS News, the WUC has not addressed these serious allegations. As it now undergoes a leadership transition, internal conflicts have emerged, with several candidates absent for unexplained reasons.

Despite the NED’s stated principles prohibiting the financing of political campaigns, it has successfully rigged elections in various countries, including Nicaragua and Mongolia. The NED played a role in overthrowing democratically elected governments in Eastern Europe and funded opposition groups in Venezuela, underscoring its focus on installing regimes aligned with US interests.

Conclusion

NED involvement in initiatives such as Bangladesh’s PAIRS program exemplifies a broader trend of foreign intervention that undermines democratic processes and national sovereignty. As geopolitical dynamics continue to shift, it is crucial to critically assess these actions and their implications for the future of democracy and stability in the regions targeted by US strategies. Pursuing regime change under the guise of promoting democracy raises serious ethical questions about the responsibilities of powerful nations in shaping the political future of other nations.

Selena Green is a feminist lawyer and human rights activist with eight years of experience as a coordinator of various human rights organizations. Mahesh Ranjan Debata teaches at the Center for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The opinions expressed are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.