Day: July 10, 2024
During the recently held 19th Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Bangladeshi lawmaker and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam strongly condemned ongoing Israeli atrocities against Palestinian civilians, demanded an end to the Israeli invasion of Gaza, and reiterated Bangladesh’s support for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Bangladesh is located more than 5,000 km away from Palestine, and Dhaka has little economic, political or strategic stakes in that country. Yet, since its independence, Bangladesh has consistently supported the Palestinian cause. This illustrates a shining example of pursuing a moral foreign policy on the part of Dhaka.
Why Bangladesh Supports Palestine
First, Bangladesh’s unconditional support for the Palestinian cause is rooted in its constitutional provisions. According to Article 25 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, the state is duty-bound to “support oppressed people throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism, colonialism or racialism.” Since 1948, the Palestinians have been consistently oppressed by Israel, and they have been subjected to all sorts of crimes, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, mass deportations, sexual assault, demolition of houses, ecocide, scholasticide, cultural genocide, illegal detention, inhuman treatment of prisoners, strict restrictions on movement, mass surveillance, and illegal taxation. Numerous scholars have characterized Israel as a settler-colonial state.
Moreover, under international law, Israel illegally occupies West Bank and maintains a de facto occupation of the Gaza Strip. In fact, Israel has been proclaimed a ‘Jewish nation-state,’ and it has developed a system of apartheid against the Palestinians. Accordingly, the struggle of the Palestinians is a struggle against Israeli occupation, settler-colonialism and racism. Hence, Bangladesh supports the Palestinian cause.
Second, the Bangladeshi struggle for independence and the Palestinian struggle for freedom share striking similarities. Before its independence in 1971, Bangladesh had to endure more than two decades of institutionalized Pakistani discrimination, followed by one of the most brutal genocides in history. Similarly, Palestine is struggling against Israeli oppression and occupation for more than seven decades. Hence, Bangladesh finds the Palestinian struggle similar to its own, and feels sympathetic towards it.
Finally, both the Bangladeshis and the Palestinians are Muslim-majority nations, and owing to religious affinity, the Bangladeshis are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. However, religion is not the only factor which motivates Bangladesh to support the Palestinian cause. The plight of the Palestinians evokes strong sympathy among Bangladeshis of all political persuasion, including leftists, centrists, and rightists. In fact, the continuation of the support for the Palestinians and the non-recognition of Israel are among the few issues on which a political consensus can be reached among the major political parties in Bangladesh.
Support for the Palestinian Cause: Historical Dynamics
During the Bangladeshi War of Independence in 1971, Israel offered to accord diplomatic recognition to the Bangladeshi government-in-exile and to supply the Bangladesh Forces with military equipment, but the Bangladeshi government-in-exile, despite pressing needs for diplomatic and military support, turned down the offer in solidarity with the Palestinians. After the victory of Bangladesh in the war, Israel recognized Bangladesh on 7 February 1972, but Bangladesh again rejected the offer. Instead, Bangladesh expressed its complete and unconditional support for the Palestinians. Bangladesh supported the Arab states during the Arab–Israeli War in 1973, demonstrating solidarity with the Arabs and the Palestinians. During the war, Bangladesh sent dozens of military medics and some 50 tons of tea to Egypt and Syria.
In February 1974, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasser Arafat in the Pakistani city of Lahore during the second summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and reiterated Bangladesh’s support for the Palestinians. Upon Bangladesh’s inclusion in the United Nations (UN) in September 1974, the state has consistently upheld the Palestinian cause at the international body. In 1976, the PLO opened a representative office in Dhaka, and afterwards, PLO officials were regularly hosted by Bangladeshi officials and diplomats. Yasser Arafat became a frequent guest in Bangladesh, with the country hosting him 13 times between 1981 and 1987. Since the early 1980s, the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) has been training to PLO troops, and later, the Palestinian National Security Forces personnel.
In the late 1970s, hundreds of Bangladeshi citizens started travelling to Lebanon, and joined different factions of the PLO, including the Fatah and the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC). In 1982, Israel invaded and occupied Lebanon in order to destroy the PLO. Bangladesh strongly condemned the Israeli invasion, and Bangladeshi volunteer fighters in that country actively fought against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Several Bangladeshi fighters were killed, including Kamal Mustafa Ali, who was killed during a battle against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on 22 July 1982. According to the IDF, some 400 Bangladeshi fighters were captured by Israeli troops in Lebanon in 1982. By 1987, about 8,000 Bangladeshi citizens had fought on the side of the PLO, and more than 100 were killed. Thus, Bangladeshis made the supreme sacrifice for the Palestinian cause.
Bangladesh consistently supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. On 16 November 1988, Bangladesh recognized the independence of Palestine immediately after the Palestinian Declaration of Independence a day earlier. Accordingly, the PLO representative office in Dhaka was transformed into the Palestinian Embassy. After China and India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, Israel again pushed for normalization with Bangladesh, but its overtures were again rebuffed. While a few Bangladeshis have advocated for the normalization of ties with Israel, the Bangladeshi government and the overwhelming majority of the population are strongly opposed to the proposition. Bangladesh maintains that it would not recognize Israel until the complete de-occupation of the Palestinian territories. In fact, Bangladesh has punished some of its citizens, including journalist Salahuddin Shoaib Chowdhury and opposition politician Aslam Chowdhury, for maintaining ties with Israel. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has repeatedly condemned Israeli violence against the Palestinians, notably in 2009, 2014, 2014 and 2021.
Bangladeshi Support for Palestine: Current Scenario
At present, Bangladesh maintains its principled position on Palestine and continues to support the Palestinian cause. The state has a modest trade partnership with Palestine, and has concluded several agreements on economic cooperation with the latter. Bangladesh regularly trains Palestinian military personnel at the BMA. Moreover, Bangladesh currently hosts some 100 Palestinian students, with most of them studying medical sciences. In addition, some Palestinians live in Bangladesh, and there are several mixed Bangladeshi–Palestinian families as well.
Following the Israeli invasion of Gaza in October 2023, Bangladesh has repeatedly condemned Israeli atrocities against Palestinian civilians, and restated its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Numerous Bangladeshi organizations, including the ruling party, Islamist and leftist parties, and civil society organizations, have organized rallies to protest the Israeli invasion. Bangladesh has sent several batches of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, for the people of Gaza in an effort to lessen their sufferings. Also, the University of Dhaka and Daffodil International University have offered scholarships for Palestinian students. Moreover, Bangladesh has supported the South African-initiated case of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Meanwhile, Bangladeshi citizens have organized an increasingly effective boycott of Coca-Cola products following the outbreak of war in Gaza. Thus, Bangladesh is providing Palestine with substantial diplomatic and moral support in its struggle against Israeli occupation.
Conclusion
In an interview with bdnews24.com, Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef Ramadan had commented that if all Muslim states had supported Palestine as Bangladesh had done, Palestine would have been free long ago. This succinctly sums up Bangladesh’s contribution to the Palestinian cause. Thus, Bangladesh’s support for Palestine, rooted in ideological, cultural and constitutional reasons, demonstrates that it is possible to pursue a moral and humanitarian foreign policy, even if limited to some particular spheres, in a Machiavellian and strictly pragmatic world.
As Russia’s war against Ukraine unfolds with unpredictable battlefield dynamics, the upcoming NATO summit in Washington on July 9-11 assumes critical importance against a backdrop of heightened tensions and strategic recalibrations. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assertions of maintaining battlefield initiative contrast sharply with the deteriorating economic conditions, manpower shortages, and growing Western solidarity supporting Ukraine.
Shifting battlefield dynamics & tactical realities
Recent developments highlight the volatile nature of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, particularly focused on the Kharkiv region. Initial gains have given way to an unstable equilibrium, challenging Russia’s narrative of continued strategic initiative. This phase has allowed NATO and its allies to reassess and strengthen their support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian offensives and geopolitical manoeuvres.
President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcements regarding new weapon systems, including intermediate-range missiles, underscore Moscow’s efforts to regain momentum. However, tactical setbacks, such as Ukraine’s enhanced missile defense capabilities and increased air superiority, pose significant challenges.
These developments, coupled with Western consent for Ukraine to deploy long-distance weapon systems, highlight Ukraine’s evolving defensive capabilities and the strategic implications for the conflict’s trajectory.
Western solidarity & strategic responses
Western nations have responded with increased solidarity towards Ukraine, pledging extensive military and economic support ahead of the NATO summit. The imminent deployment of F-16 fighter jets and enhanced artillery capabilities through joint procurement initiatives reflect NATO’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The acquisition of MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air systems from Israel further strengthens Ukraine’s defenses against Russian missile threats, marking a significant shift in the regional military balance.
Strategically, NATO’s cohesive stance and bilateral security agreements with Ukraine signal a united front against Russian aggression. Discussions on Ukraine’s prospective NATO membership, underscored by recent agreements with the European Union and forthcoming agreements with Poland, emphasize NATO’s long-term strategic commitment to Ukrainian security.
Economic & demographic pressures on Russia
Beyond military dynamics, Russia is facing mounting economic challenges exacerbated by prolonged military expenditures and international sanctions. The strain on Russia’s economy, exacerbated by inflation and budgetary pressures, underscores the broader implications of sustained military engagement. Reports of demographic strains, including recruitment challenges and high casualty rates among Russian forces, further highlight the human toll and economic strain of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s resilience amidst economic disruptions, including targeted Russian strikes on infrastructure, underscores the critical role of international economic aid in sustaining Ukraine’s defense efforts. External financial support, such as the recent IMF credit tranche, bolsters Ukraine’s ability to withstand economic attrition and maintain defensive capabilities.
Late in June, the IMF’s Executive Board completed the Fourth Review of Ukraine’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, allowing Ukraine to receive a disbursement of approximately US$2.2 billion (SDR 1.66 billion) for budget support. Despite challenging conditions, Ukraine has performed well under the EFF, meeting all quantitative performance criteria for March and most structural benchmarks through June.
The Ukrainian economy remains resilient, though outlook uncertainties are exceptionally high. Continued reform momentum and timely external support are crucial to maintaining macroeconomic stability, fiscal sustainability, and institutional reforms necessary for EU accession. The EFF, part of a larger support package totaling US$122 billion, aims to stabilize Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict impacts and economic uncertainty.
NATO members have agreed to provide Ukraine with military aid totaling 40 billion euros ($43 billion) next year, according to a Reuters report citing a Western diplomat who spoke on July 3.
The commitment is expected to be finalized during the NATO summit in Washington from July 9-11, where Allied leaders will sign off on the funding, the news agency noted.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has advocated for a minimum annual defense aid of 40 billion euros to Ukraine in the coming years to ensure sustained support, matching the average commitment since the outbreak of full-scale war in 2022.
Details on whether this agreement extends beyond 2025 remain unclear.
Ahead of the summit, Kyiv has expressed hopes for guarantees of future military aid and clear signals regarding its NATO membership aspirations.
While an invitation for membership is unlikely during this summit, NATO officials plan to introduce “new language” on Ukraine’s NATO prospects and focus on a roadmap toward eventual membership. The alliance also intends to establish a senior representative in Kyiv and create a new command center in Germany to coordinate assistance for Ukraine, particularly amid concerns about potential shifts in US leadership.
Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has previously criticized NATO and aid to Kyiv, raising questions about the stability of pro-Ukraine alliances. These concerns are compounded by the rise of far-right and populist parties in Europe, which have also expressed skepticism toward aid for Ukraine.
Geopolitical ramifications & NATO summit expectations
At the geopolitical level, the NATO summit presents an opportunity for NATO members to reinforce their commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and discuss strategies to counter Russian aggression effectively. The European Union’s ongoing economic aid and diplomatic initiatives, including discussions on Ukraine’s accession, underscore a cohesive Western approach to the conflict.
The appointment of Kaja Kallas as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy signals continued European resolve in supporting Ukraine and countering Russian influence. Moscow’s perception of heightened “Russophobia” within EU strategy reflects growing tensions and diverging geopolitical interests between Russia and Western allies.
Strategic outlook & NATO’s role
As the NATO summit approaches, expectations are high for renewed commitments to Ukrainian security and strategic deterrence against Russian aggression. Putin’s efforts to maintain a semblance of initiative amidst mounting challenges underscore Russia’s strategic vulnerability and the shifting dynamics of contemporary warfare.
NATO’s coordinated response, characterized by enhanced military support, economic aid, and diplomatic solidarity with Ukraine, sets the stage for continued Western pressure on Moscow. The summit’s outcomes will likely reaffirm NATO’s strategic pivot towards Eastern Europe and signal enduring support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security amid ongoing regional instability.
To recap, while Russia seeks to maintain battlefield initiative, the evolving military, economic, and geopolitical dynamics suggest a complex and uncertain path forward. The NATO summit stands as a pivotal moment to reinforce Western unity and strategic resolve in confronting Russian aggression and advancing regional stability in Eastern Europe.
From July 9 to 11, the United States will host the NATO Summit in Washington, marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of what has been deemed by some as the world’s “most successful military alliance”.
The NATO Summit in Washington will mark 75 years of historic achievements, demonstrate the strength and unity of our transatlantic bond, advance the implementation of the most robust deterrence and defense plans since the end of the Cold War, and showcase NATO’s vital role in the world.
By Aurélie Pugnet
(EurActiv) — US-made F-16 fighter jets and additional air defence systems are on their way to Ukraine and are expected to be operational this summer, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (10 July), following NATO’s decision to boost the country’s air defence.
“The F-16 will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer,” Blinken said on Wednesday (10 July) before the NATO summit kicked off.
The American-made fighter jets “are on their way, the transfers happen as we speak,” he said.
The F-16s were requested by Ukraine last year, to improve the protection of its population and armed forces, and gain air superiority against the Russians.
Deliveries of the planes to war-torn Ukraine have been delayed due to the need for Ukrainian pilots to be trained on Western-made jets.
Their training started in the autumn, including English-language coursesbefore the pilots were allowed to fly in the air.
Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans – leading the coalition to supply F-16’s – said he could not give a clear timeline. “We are not only looking at F-16s but also the required ammunition,” he told the press including Euractiv on Wednesday (10 July).
“We shall not put any limitations on [the use of the jets and ammunition],” he added, as NATO members agreed that Ukraine can use Western-delivered defence equipment, to hit targets in Russian territory.
Commentating on the impact F-16 deliveries can have on the battlefield, a senior NATO official said, “If you can call on close support from overhead, that gives a significant impact and an ability to move a battlefront forward.”
However managing expectations they added, “This conflict is not likely to be over any time soon, it is something that’s going to take years of dedicated efforts to ensure that Russia does not prevail.”
Ahead of the summit,United States, Germany, and Romaniapledged five additional air defence systems, including US-made Patriots. The Netherlands will donate Patriot parts, and Italy will send the Franco-Italian-made SAMP/T.
Ukrainian officialspressedtheir backers for air defence systems in recent months, saying they identified 100 available Patriots.
“In the coming months, the United States and partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of tactical air defense systems, including NASAMS, HAWKs, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS, and Gepard system,” the White House also announced on Tuesday (9 July).
Washington, they said, “will re-sequence planned deliveries of critical air defence interceptors in coordination with partners, so they are delivered to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with hundreds of additional air defence interceptors over the next year.”
Donating such systems comes at a high price for non-US NATO members, as delivery times are long. Romania, for instance, donated itsonlybattery and asked the US to replace them rapidly, which they have not done so far.
On the same day, NATO announced that members will order 940 anti-aircraft surface-to-air Stinger missiles , for €700 million.
Chinese coast guard vessel 5901, dubbed “The Monster” for its size, has maintained an “illegal presence” in Philippine waters for a week, said a spokesperson for the country’s navy.
Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters on Tuesday that the CCG 5901 has been near Sabina Shoal, known in the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, since July 3.
Manila’s biggest and most modern coast guard ship – the BRP Teresa Magbanua – has been shadowing the movements of the Chinese vessel, he said.
The 2,260-ton Philippine multi-role response vessel, however, is dwarfed by “The Monster” which is five times its size.
At some points, the Chinese ship was only about 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the BRP Teresa Magbanua, according to Trinidad.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), foreign vessels can conduct so-called innocent passage and freedom of navigation operations. However, the spokesperson said: “We are monitoring them because they should not be conducting any maritime research, they should not be doing anything detrimental to the security of the state.”
The Philippine coast guard first spotted “The Monster” anchored near Sabina Shoal last Saturday.
The shoal, claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, is less than 90 nautical miles (167 km) off the coast of Palawan island inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where Manila has jurisdiction over natural resources.
Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said at the time his forces radio challenged the Chinese vessel, warning that it was operating inside the Philippine EEZ, but “The Monster” did not respond.
“It’s an intimidation on the part of the China coast guard,” Tarriela said.
The 12,000-ton CCG 5901 is the largest coast guard vessel in the world and is heavily armed.
When asked about the statement, aChinese foreign ministry spokespersonsaid the shoal belonged to China.
Lin Jian said that it is part of Chinese Nansha islands, also known as the Spratly islands, not the Philippines’ EEZ.
“To patrol and conduct law enforcement activities by Chinese military and coast guard vessels in the waters near Xianbin Jiao is within China’s domestic law and international law, including UNCLOS,” Lin said, referring to Sabina Shoal by its Chinese name.
Suspected land reclamation
China lays claim to most of the South China Sea and draws a so-called nine-dash line on its maps to mark its “historic rights.”
An international arbitration tribunal in a case brought by the Philippines in 2016 ruled that China’s claims are unlawful but it has refused to recognize the ruling.
“The Monster” last month conducted a 10-day patrol along the nine-dash line to reinforce it before returning to the Philippines’ EEZ this month.
China has also been sending research vessels, naval vessels and other ships to Sabina Shoal, leading to suspicion that it is attempting tobuild an artificial islandthere.
The Philippine coast guard said that crushed corals had been dumped on the shoal – an indication of the early stage of land reclamation.
China’s foreign ministry dismissed the accusation as “groundless and pure rumor.”
Sabina Shoal is also important to the Philippines as it serves as the meeting point for vessels resupplying troops stationed at the nearby Second Thomas Shoal.
The Philippine and Chinese coast guards have been confronting each other near the shoal, where Manila ran aground an old warship – the BRP Sierra Madre – to exert its control. In anincident on June 17, a Filipino sailor lost a finger during an altercation between Philippine military and Chinese coast guard personnel there.
Manila and Beijing have since held talks and agreed to “de-escalate tensions” but the situation remains largely unchanged.
In the latest development, the Chinese navy’s Shandong carrier strike group has been spotted passing the northern Philippines on its way to drills in the Pacific. The carrier group includes China’s second aircraft carrier Shandong, cruiser Yan’an, destroyer Guilin and frigate Yuncheng.
Philippine armed forces spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters on Wednesday that the Philippines noted the deployment of the Chinese carrier strike group in the Philippine Sea “with concern.”
“We emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and urge all parties to adhere to international laws and norms,” he said.