Recent data from the United States government reveals that under President Joe Biden’s administration, Bangladesh has become the largest recipient of American development aid in South Asia, receiving a total of $1.89 billion over the past four years. The majority of these funds were disbursed through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with a notable increase directed toward Bangladesh’s government and civil society, particularly during the 2024 election year.

Among 15 countries in South and Central Asia, Bangladesh ranks second in receiving US foreign assistance, surpassed only by Afghanistan, which received $4.82 billion due to the United States’ prolonged military presence and subsequent withdrawal. In Bangladesh, USAID has primarily allocated funds to emergency response, agriculture, and governance, with a sharp rise in funding under the category of Government and Civil Society (GCS).

The data indicates that a significant portion of the GCS funding was allocated in the lead-up to and during Bangladesh’s 2024 elections. In particular, three subcategories under GCS-Democratic Participation and Civil Society, Media and Flow of Information, and Legislative and Political Parties-saw substantial increases.

Funding for Democratic Participation and Civil Society rose from $1.8 million in 2021 to $7.5 million in 2024, marking a more than fourfold increase within three years. Similarly, Media and Free Flow of Information funding increased from just over half a million dollars in earlier years to $7.4 million in 2024. Notably, no funds were allocated for this category in 2023, raising questions about the timing and intent of this sudden increase. Additionally, US........

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