Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium
Bangladesh is in the midst of a political transition that will
have long-lasting implications for its strategic direction as a
nation-state as well as stability of the region more generally. The
military-backed interim government that took power on January 11,
2007, has pursued an aggressive anti-corruption campaign that was
initially welcomed by the broader Bangladeshi population. With the
recent jailing of the country's two major political leaders and
postponement of elections until the end of 2008, however, there is
growing skepticism about the Army's intentions and commitment to
returning the country to full democracy. Will the current
anti-corruption campaign mainly targeting the democratic political
parties alter the political landscape in a way that brings
religious parties - some with extremist agendas - to the fore? What
impact will the anti-corruption campaign have on the economy and
business investment in the country? What are the critical steps to
ensuring free and fair elections at the earliest date possible?
Join us for our discussion of these and other issues related
to U.S.-Bangladesh relations.
More About the Speakers
Featuring Keynote Remarks by:
The Honorable Joseph Crowley (D-NY)
Member,
U.S. House of Representatives
Followed by a Panel Discussion with:
The Honorable John Gastright
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
South and Central Asian Affairs,
U.S. Department of State
Ambassador Wali-Ur Rahman
Director,
Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs
Major General Muniruzzaman
President,
Bangladesh Institute for Peace and Security Studies
Dr. Ali Riaz
Associate Professor,
Department of Politics and Government,
Illinois State University
Hosted By
Lisa Curtis
Senior Research Fellow
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