Bangladesh, a nation long navigating the delicate balance of regional and global powers, finds itself at a precarious juncture. Recent developments, including increased US military engagement, allegations of plans to cede strategic assets like Chittagong Port and Saint Martin’s Island, and the mysterious death of a US Special Forces officer in Dhaka, have sparked widespread concerns about the country’s sovereignty.
These events, coupled with warnings from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and accusations against interim leader Muhammad Yunus, paint a troubling picture of Bangladesh as a battleground for geopolitical rivalries. As the nation grapples with these challenges, it must confront the risks of foreign influence, internal instability, and the potential loss of autonomy in an increasingly volatile South Asia.
A Surge in US Military Engagement
Since August 2024, Bangladesh and the United States have conducted three significant joint military exercises: Tiger Lightning 2025, Tiger Shark 2025, and Pacific Angel 25-3. These exercises, involving elite units like the Bangladesh Para Commando Brigade and US forces from the Nevada National Guard and Indo-Pacific Command, focused on counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and disaster response.
The US has also committed to supplying advanced equipment, including the RQ-21 Blackjack Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), 35-foot SAFE Patrol Boats, and Zodiac Rigid Hull Boats, to bolster Bangladesh’s maritime security and border defense capabilities.
According to a 2023 statement by former US Ambassador Peter Haas, these initiatives build on prior support, including small UAS deliveries to Bangladesh’s Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) and Para Commandos in 2022. The Biden administration has expressed readiness to provide further advanced capabilities through Foreign Military Sales, contingent on Bangladesh signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
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While these efforts are framed as partnerships to promote regional stability, they have raised questions about the extent of US influence over Bangladesh’s defense apparatus.
The Mysterious Death of a US Special Forces Officer
The sudden death of Terrence Arvelle Jackson, a US Army Special Forces officer, at The Westin Dhaka on August 31, 2025, has added fuel to the controversy. Initially described as a businessman, Jackson was later identified as a member of the elite 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), with expertise in unconventional warfare and counterterrorism. His presence in Bangladesh, reportedly involving frequent trips to sensitive areas like Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, suggests he was engaged in intelligence-gathering or counterterrorism operations, possibly linked to the Rohingya crisis or regional militant networks.
The secrecy surrounding Jackson’s death—marked by the US Embassy’s swift removal of his body and belongings without an autopsy—has fueled speculation of covert operations. Reports of maps, sketches, and electronic devices found in his hotel room point to a mission far beyond the commercial cover story. This incident, occurring in the wake of Bangladesh’s 2024 political upheaval, underscores the country’s growing entanglement in global espionage and security dynamics.
Allegations of Strategic Asset Transfers
Compounding these concerns are reports that the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is facilitating the transfer of Chittagong Port and Saint Martin’s Island to US control. According to The Economic Times, the US is exploring the development of Chittagong Port under the Quad’s “Ports for the Future” initiative, aimed at countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Indo-Pacific.
Similarly, proposals to lease one-third of Saint Martin’s Island for 99 years, initially as a tourism hub but potentially as a military base, have alarmed observers. These moves, if true, could significantly alter the regional balance of power, drawing objections from China and India, both of whom view the Bay of Bengal as a critical strategic theatre.
Sheikh Hasina’s Warnings and the ‘Christian State’ Conspiracy
Awami League President and five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in exile, has been vocal about foreign interference in Bangladesh’s affairs. During her tenure, she rejected US proposals for a military base on Saint Martin’s Island, a defense pact, and resource concessions, citing threats to national sovereignty. Hasina has also warned of a purported plot to create a “Christian state” encompassing parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, drawing parallels to the secession of East Timor.
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While these claims lack concrete evidence, they resonate with nationalist sentiments and fuel suspicions of Western agendas, particularly in light of the US’ humanitarian involvement in the Rohingya crisis and its strategic interest in countering China.
Hasina’s allegations point to a broader narrative of Bangladesh being manipulated in a geopolitical chess game. The 2024 “jihadist coup,” which ousted her government, has been cited by some as evidence of external forces destabilising the country to install a pliable regime.
Critics argue that Yunus, accused of being a “proxy leader” for the West, is enabling these plans, potentially incentivised by promises of international roles like the UN Secretary-General position. Though speculative, these accusations highlight the deep mistrust surrounding foreign involvement in Bangladesh.
Geopolitical Rivalries and Regional Instability
The Bay of Bengal is increasingly a flashpoint in the US-China rivalry. China’s investments in regional infrastructure, such as Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu port, have prompted the US to strengthen its presence through military partnerships and port development initiatives. Bangladesh’s strategic location makes it a coveted prize, with Chittagong Port and Saint Martin’s Island serving as key assets for controlling maritime routes. The US’ focus on the Rohingya crisis and counterterrorism aligns with its broader goal of containing China’s influence, but it risks exacerbating tensions with regional powers like India, which faces security threats from cross-border militancy and Pakistan’s ISI activities in Bangladesh.
The reported presence of Pakistani ISI operatives, allegedly funnelling counterfeit currency and narcotics to destabilise India, adds another layer of complexity. The US’ covert operations, as suggested by Jackson’s activities, may aim to counter these threats but risk bypassing coordination with Dhaka and New Delhi, undermining trust.
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Meanwhile, allegations of US military transport planes landing without permission and the establishment of a UN human rights mission in Bangladesh have sparked accusations of sovereignty violations.
The Risk of a Civil War Blueprint
Some analysts draw parallels between Bangladesh’s current trajectory and the civil wars that followed the Arab Spring in Syria, Libya, and Yemen. These conflicts, marked by foreign intervention and internal division, serve as cautionary tales. Reports suggest that US activities in Chittagong, home to significant religious sites, could provoke sectarian tensions, potentially portraying Bangladesh as a militant hub to justify foreign military presence.
Such a scenario would align with historical US strategies of intervening in destabilised nations to secure strategic interests, raising fears that Bangladesh could become a pawn in a larger geopolitical game.
Bangladesh’s Path Forward
The convergence of these developments—US military exercises, the death of a Special Forces officer, and alleged plans to cede strategic assets—underscores the existential challenges facing Bangladesh. The interim government must navigate a treacherous landscape, balancing economic and security partnerships with the imperative of preserving sovereignty. Public discourse on platforms like X reflects growing unease, with calls for transparency and democratic elections to restore legitimacy.
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