Political interference crippled military, intelligence agencies: Speakers

Prominent security analysts, retired military officials, diplomats and academics have called for a comprehensive overhaul of Bangladesh's national security framework, warning that prolonged political interference has severely weakened the country's military and intelligence institutions.

Speakers said the post-2024 political context and shifting regional and global alliances demand a fundamentally new approach to national security, grounded in democratic decision-making, strong civilian oversight and institutional reform.

They made the remarks at a seminar titled "National Security Risks in the Context of New Equations in Regional Relations", held today (4 January) at the BDBL Building in Karwan Bazar. The event was jointly organised by Voice for Reform and Bangladesh Research and Analysis Institute (BRAIN).

Lt Gen Aminul Karim (retd) described national security as a "broad canvas" that goes beyond military preparedness to include political stability, food security, energy security and environmental sustainability.

He said political interference had "crippled" the top tiers of the military and intelligence agencies, particularly the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

"Past governments misused the DGFI to suppress political opponents, when its primary responsibility should have been addressing external threats. The politicisation of the force over the last 15 years has severely damaged its operational effectiveness," he added.

He stressed that political reform is central to restoring discipline and professionalism within the armed forces. "Politics is the head; if politics is fixed, the military will follow," he said.

Karim also expressed concern over the continued deployment of the army in policing roles, warning that it undermines military preparedness.

"Training is the best welfare of a soldier. If the army cannot train, it cannot fight," he added.

Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman (retd) highlighted the absence of a comprehensive National Security Policy to guide Bangladesh's foreign, defence and economic strategies.

He said regional strategic dynamics are rapidly changing, with foreign analysts increasingly discussing the use of "grey-zone warfare" including disinformation campaigns and economic coercion to destabilise Bangladesh.

Referring to India's strategic geography, he pointed to the "Chicken's Neck" corridor and the establishment of new Indian cantonments near the border as signs of shifting dynamics.

"We must develop credible deterrence, not only through hard military power, but through national unity, a resilient economy and a patriotic media," he said.

A key recommendation echoed by Lt Gen (retd) Karim and former US diplomat Jon Danilowicz was the appointment of a separate defence minister.

"Bangladesh needs a competent civilian defence minister to provide proper oversight and rationalise defence expenditure," Danilowicz said, questioning the prioritisation of costly advanced fighter jets such as the Eurofighter Typhoon over investments in maritime security and border protection.

International relations researcher Mobasher Hasan argued that social cohesion is as critical to national security as military capability.

He said systematic political division and the politicisation of institutions such as the DGFI, National Security Intelligence (NSI) and the police have damaged the country's security fabric.

Prof Dilara Chowdhury warned that Bangladesh faces "existential threats" if a genuinely representative government is not established through credible elections.

She criticised the interim government for failing to prevent the escape of individuals allegedly responsible for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi.

She also identified upstream water supply as a major long-term national security risk.

"All past treaties with India must be made public and reviewed. The public must remain vigilant to ensure no future government is directed by a foreign state," she said.

The seminar was moderated by Fahim Mashroor, assistant coordinator of Voice for Reform, and Shafiqur Rahman, executive director of BRAIN.