Ali Akbar Rouf

U.S. Visa Curbs on Bangladesh: Counting Chickens Before They Hatch

Since the United States imposed unilateral sanctions on Bangladesh’s elite security force -- the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and some of its former and...

Problems with the U.S. Foreign Aid

Foreign aid is an oft-cited example of American Public misconception of U.S. overseas governmental operations. A study by Kaiser Family Foundation in 2015 found...

Departure of Diplomat Li Jiming and Expectations From the New Chinese Ambassador

China and Bangladesh have had diplomatic relations since 1976, five years after Bangladesh gained its independence. Since then, the two nations have built a...

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A Project-Based Scenario for ECOWAS’s Revival

ECOWAS’ survival hinges less on crisis control than on building regional value chains. Nigeria’s shea nut export ban exposes risks—but also a chance to turn fragmentation into integration, jobs, and renewed regional relevance.

Poland Cultivates Strategic Relations with Asia-Pacific

Poland is widening its Asia-Pacific outreach through resilience diplomacy, defence partnerships, and economic cooperation, reflecting a broader EU middle-power push to adapt to shifting geopolitics and strategic uncertainty.

Indonesia’s Foreign Policy Re-orientation: Growing Emphasis on De-dollarization and BRICS

Indonesia’s foreign policy is shifting: deeper BRICS engagement, de-dollarization moves, and balanced ties with the US and China signal Jakarta’s push for autonomy, diversification, and a stronger Global South voice.

The Heartland vs. the Rimland: Decoding India and China’s Indian Ocean Rivalry

Heartland vs. Rimland in the Indian Ocean: China pushes from Africa’s interior outward, India builds trust along the ocean’s rim. Two strategies, one arena—shaping the IOR’s future in radically different ways.

The Algorithmic Shadow Economy

Asia’s illicit economy is shifting from gangs to algorithms—automated tools, crypto rails, and fluid digital platforms creating a fast, leaderless shadow system that outpaces regulation and reshapes regional power.