Leaked cables, political maneuvering, and global pressure points raise urgent questions about foreign influence and the future of Bangladesh’s democracy

In the aftermath of Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power, Muhammad Yunus told international media that Bangladesh had narrowly escaped a civil war. The remark was enthusiastically embraced not only by his admirers but also by segments of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who interpreted it as a sign of alignment with their interests. However, previously leaked diplomatic communications suggest a far more complex and controversial narrative.

According to disclosures attributed to WikiLeaks, a confidential cable from the US Consulate in Kolkata sheds light on Yunus’s political ambitions dating back nearly two decades. In 2007, Bangladesh witnessed a dramatic power shift when a military-backed caretaker administration replaced the government led by President Iajuddin Ahmed. At the center of this transition was Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed, whose intervention reshaped the country’s political trajectory.

Months before the so-called “1/11” political changeover, Yunus reportedly scheduled a visit to Kolkata with a strategic objective: to seek tacit approval from influential quarters in India—including both the West Bengal state leadership and the central government—regarding his potential ascent to the apex of Bangladesh’s state power. When the........

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