Bangladesh’s interim government, formed after the fall of an authoritarian regime, is preparing for national elections amid rising regional security challenges. Despite political stabilization, the country faces mounting external and internal threats, including India’s expanded military presence near the northern border, insurgent activity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and instability from Myanmar’s civil war. Analysts warn that Bangladesh’s outdated defense infrastructure—comprised largely of obsolete tanks, aircraft, and naval assets—cannot meet these evolving threats.

A proposed modernization roadmap outlines a three-phase plan from 2025 to 2040 to rebuild the armed forces into a technologically advanced, integrated defense system. Immediate priorities include acquiring modern main battle tanks, 4.5-generation fighter jets, guided-missile frigates, and advanced air defense systems. Midterm goals focus on joint command structures, domestic defense production, and cyber and drone warfare capabilities. Long-term objectives envision a blue-water navy and AI-driven defense research. Experts emphasize increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP and launching defense bonds for expatriates. The plan underscores that national security, not politics, must now be Bangladesh’s foremost priority.

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has initiated a major realignment in foreign policy, emphasizing national sovereignty and reduced dependence on India. Following Sheikh Hasina’s fall from power after mass protests, Yunus has sought to reassert Bangladesh’s diplomatic independence by strengthening ties with China, Turkey, and Pakistan while maintaining engagement with Western partners. His administration’s early moves include reviving the Teesta River project with Chinese participation and signing agreements to modernize Mongla Port.

This shift recalls the foreign policy of former President Ziaur Rahman, who steered Bangladesh away from the Soviet-India axis in the late 1970s. Analysts note that Yunus’s approach has unsettled New Delhi, which had long enjoyed strategic influence over Dhaka’s political and defense affairs. Indian media have responded critically, reflecting growing unease over Bangladesh’s diversification of alliances.

The new policy’s implications are significant: it could reshape South Asian geopolitics by balancing regional powers and enhancing Bangladesh’s bargaining position. However, the transition also carries risks of diplomatic friction with India and challenges in sustaining economic and security cooperation across competing blocs.

Following the July–August revolution, Bangladesh’s interim government initiated an ambitious administrative reform drive, forming 11 commissions to restructure governance, decentralize power, and curb corruption. The Public Administration Reform Commission proposed reducing ministries from 43 to 25 and divisions from 61 to 40, introducing merit-based promotions, and creating a professional, citizen-oriented bureaucracy. However, several proposals, such as converting divisions into provinces, have been criticized as unrealistic.

The reform process has been derailed by entrenched cadre rivalries, particularly over the deputy secretary promotion quota, and by persistent political interference in recruitment and transfers. Administrative cadres protested against the proposed 50:50 quota, while other cadres supported it as a step toward equality. Analysts note that despite reform rhetoric, political parties have failed to prioritize bureaucratic neutrality and accountability.

Experts warn that without political consensus, transparent implementation, and institutional safeguards against politicization, the reform agenda risks stagnation. The future of Bangladesh’s bureaucracy now hinges on whether the government can enforce merit-based systems and restore public trust in state institutions.

The Bangladesh government has assigned armed bodyguards and initiated firearm licensing for several political figures and July Movement leaders following a surge in security concerns. Among those receiving protection are former interim government adviser and National Citizens’ Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, NCP coordinators Hasnat Abdullah, Tasnim Zara, and Sarjis Alam. The move follows recent violent incidents, including the daylight shooting of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, which heightened fears of targeted attacks against anti-hegemony and sovereignty advocates.

Security agencies have reportedly identified a hit list targeting individuals critical of India’s influence in Bangladesh’s internal politics. In response, multiple politicians from parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, and LDP have applied for armed protection. Authorities confirmed that several requests are being processed, with some already approved. Additional Inspector General Khondker Rafiqul Islam stated that all applicants seeking security are being reviewed carefully.

The decision underscores the government’s attempt to stabilize the political environment ahead of upcoming elections, though it also reflects deepening mistrust and polarization within Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the prominent leaders of Bangladesh’s 2024 July uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, died on December 18, 2025, in Singapore after being shot in Dhaka on December 12. The 32-year-old activist had emerged as a key figure in the post-revolt political landscape, leading the Inquilab Manch and promoting the ‘July Charter’—a proposed roadmap for a new political order emphasizing cultural independence and national identity.

Hadi’s politics centered on a Bengali Muslim identity and opposition to what he termed India-backed “cultural fascism.” While some student leaders joined Muhammad Yunus’s interim government or formed the National Citizen Party, Hadi’s faction remained independent, mobilizing grassroots groups. His assassination has triggered allegations of involvement by Bangladesh’s “deep state,” though police have arrested several suspects linked to the attack.

His death underscores the fragility of Bangladesh’s post-Hasina transition. With the July Charter referendum planned alongside the February 2026 elections, Hadi’s absence may reshape alliances among youth-led movements and challenge the interim government’s legitimacy.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to hold a hearing on Monday to formally frame charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq. The two are accused of inciting violence and imposing curfews that led to civilian deaths during the July Revolution, a period of political upheaval that followed the fall of the Awami League government.

The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar with members Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will hear arguments from the prosecution before defense lawyers present their statements. The formal charges were submitted on December 4, following the pair’s arrest on August 13, shortly after the government’s collapse.

Legal analysts say the case marks a critical test for Bangladesh’s post-revolution justice process. The tribunal’s decision on whether to proceed to trial could influence future accountability measures for alleged human rights violations during the July events.

Bangladesh’s stock market has gone 16 months without a single company listing or submitting an initial public offering (IPO) application, marking the longest such pause since the COVID-19 pandemic. The last company to list was Techno Drugs in July 2024. Despite directives from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to accelerate listings of state-owned and multinational firms, no progress has been made, raising concerns among investors and market analysts.

Officials attribute the stagnation to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission’s (BSEC) ongoing revision of IPO regulations. The new Public Offer of Equity Securities Rules, 2025, has completed public consultation and awaits final approval. BSEC spokesperson Abul Kalam said companies could still apply under the 2015 rules but lacked initiative due to governance issues and restrictive pricing models. Market leaders, including the DSE Brokers Association, criticized the regulator for failing to maintain supply and investor confidence.

Analysts warn that the prolonged freeze has set the market back by at least two years, with over a quarter of listed firms now in weak ‘Z’ category. The new IPO framework, expected by December, may determine whether investor trust can be restored in 2026.

Leaders of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam have collected nomination papers on behalf of Syed Talha Alam, the AB Party candidate for Sunamganj-3 (Shantiganj-Jagannathpur) constituency. The papers were collected from the Jagannathpur Upazila Election Office under the leadership of central and local Jamiat figures, signaling cross-party cooperation ahead of the upcoming national election.

Talha Alam, formerly the publicity secretary of Jamiat’s Mufti Wakkas faction, joined the AB Party on December 16 with the consent of senior Jamiat leaders. Several Jamiat members, including Maulana Hossain Ahmed and Hafiz Syed Wazirul Haque, pledged to work for his campaign, emphasizing unity beyond party lines. They described Alam as a trusted colleague and expressed commitment to voter outreach and campaign coordination.

Political observers view this alliance as evidence of Alam’s grassroots appeal and leadership credibility. His candidacy, supported by both AB Party and former Jamiat activists, is expected to strengthen his position in the constituency and potentially reshape local political dynamics ahead of the national polls.

Farmers in Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur district have seen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes this season through early bottle gourd cultivation. With favorable weather and strong market demand, wholesalers from various regions are purchasing directly from fields, ensuring steady income for growers. Around 58 hectares of land have been brought under bottle gourd cultivation this year, alongside other vegetables such as pumpkin, beans, cucumber, and bitter gourd.

Local farmers report significant profits. Mamun Hossain from Purba Keundia village earned about 250,000 taka from early sales and expects to sell another 200,000 taka worth of produce, with production costs of only 30,000–35,000 taka. Another farmer, Sujit, reported sales of around 150,000 taka. Agricultural officers credit the success to Kaukhali’s fertile alluvial soil and continuous technical support.

Officials say government projects and training programs have encouraged farmers to adopt improved vegetable varieties. With rising prices and expanding cultivation, bottle gourd farming is emerging as a sustainable income source for rural households in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s tea production has dropped by 10–12% in 2025 due to adverse weather, labor unrest, and rising production costs, raising fears of a collapse in export trade. The National Tea Company and other producers reported that prolonged droughts, heavy rains, and delayed leaf growth have disrupted yields across major tea estates, particularly in Moulvibazar, which hosts more than half of the country’s 171 gardens.

Industry stakeholders say the government’s minimum price of Tk 245 per kilogram has failed to offset higher costs for fertilizer, fuel, and pesticides. Auction sales have also declined, while illegal imports of low-quality tea from neighboring countries are undercutting domestic producers. Laborers report reduced earnings as lower yields mean fewer leaves to pluck.

Experts warn that without urgent government intervention and improved irrigation, the industry could face long-term decline. Calls are growing for stricter border controls, better quality assurance, and modernization to restore competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.

Thousands of low-income farmers in Langadu upazila of Rangamati are facing severe difficulties as water levels in Kaptai Lake have not receded on time. More than 13,000 farmers are unable to plant Boro rice because their fields remain submerged, raising fears of a food shortage in the coming year. Normally, by the Bengali month of Poush, farmers begin seasonal cultivation, but this year the lake’s water continues to flood agricultural land.

Local farmers claim the government has kept the Kaptai dam closed, preventing water release. Agricultural officials report that of Langadu’s 8,000 hectares of farmland, about 6,500 hectares remain underwater. The Upazila Agriculture Office has urged authorities to lower water levels within the month to save the season’s crops. Meanwhile, a Power Development Board manager stated that a proposal was made to maintain current water levels until the upcoming election.

If water is not released soon, thousands of families could face economic hardship and food insecurity, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.

Students at Dhaka University have renewed calls to rename halls and structures bearing the Sheikh family’s names, arguing that such titles symbolize past political dominance. The movement gained momentum following the killing of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, prompting the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) to stage a sit-in and submit a memorandum to the administration demanding the removal of what they call ‘symbols of fascism.’ Protesters proposed renaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to ‘Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall’ and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall to ‘Fellani Hall.’

The issue has sparked internal debate within student bodies, with some hall representatives objecting to DUCSU’s unilateral announcements. Alternative names such as ‘Captain Sitara Begum Hall’ also received strong student support. University officials stated that final decisions will be made in an upcoming syndicate meeting. The controversy reflects broader tensions following the July uprising, as students seek to align campus symbols with what they describe as the spirit of political change.

Observers note that the outcome may set a precedent for renaming politically affiliated institutions nationwide, testing the balance between historical legacy and post-uprising reform sentiment.

On December 21, 2025, countries across the Northern Hemisphere, including Bangladesh, experienced the longest night and shortest day of the year, marking the winter solstice. The astronomical event occurs when the Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest from the Sun, resulting in reduced daylight hours and the official onset of winter.

Scientists explain that Earth’s axial tilt causes seasonal variations as the planet orbits the Sun. Around June 21, the Northern Hemisphere leans toward the Sun, creating the longest day, known as the summer solstice. Conversely, in December, the Southern Hemisphere tilts sunward, bringing summer to the south and winter to the north.

The winter solstice has cultural and scientific significance, symbolizing renewal and the gradual lengthening of days ahead. Meteorological departments in South Asia noted cooler temperatures and longer nights, though no severe cold wave was reported. The event also serves as a reminder of Earth’s dynamic relationship with the Sun and its impact on global climate patterns.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-6, Engineer Ishraque Hossain, announced that the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh on December 25, where millions of supporters will welcome him. Speaking at a women’s wing event in Gopibagh, Dhaka, Ishraque said there is no concern over Rahman’s safety, asserting that the people themselves will safeguard their leader.

Hossain emphasized the importance of women’s participation in politics, noting that women make up about 52% of the electorate. He pledged that a future BNP government would introduce special laws and a ‘Family Card’ program to empower women financially. On election integrity, he said BNP seeks a free and fair vote and is training polling agents, with plans to assign female agents to women’s centers.

Criticizing the ruling Awami League, Hossain accused it of destroying voting rights over the past 17 years. He vowed that if BNP returns to power, it will repatriate misappropriated funds and invest them for public welfare.

Inkilab Mancha has announced a protest march demanding the execution of those involved in the killing of its spokesperson, Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The march is scheduled for Monday, December 22, starting from Shahid Hadi Chattar in Shahbagh and ending at the Central Shaheed Minar. The announcement was made on Sunday through the organization’s verified Facebook page.

Osman Hadi, who was contesting as an independent candidate in Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while campaigning in Purana Paltan. He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital before being flown to Singapore on December 15, where he died on December 18. Following his death, a previously filed attempted murder case was converted into a murder case at Paltan Police Station.

The protest reflects growing frustration among supporters demanding swift justice. Law enforcement agencies are under pressure to identify and prosecute those responsible, while political observers warn of heightened tensions ahead of the upcoming election period.