On August 5, the political landscape in Bangladesh changed dramatically, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly leaving the country with military support. Following her departure, a constitutionally illegitimate Advisory Council led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus and backed by the military took control. A cabinet composed of student advisors was formed, marking a significant departure from the traditional governance structure.

At the same time, the country witnessed an unprecedented wave of judicial action, with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) beginning to handle hundreds of cases, including allegations related to the deaths of more than 800 students and civilians who had been actively involved in the movement before the regime change. Dr. Yunus acknowledged that the movement leading to this change was meticulously planned. However, subsequent events have been marked by widespread reports of police brutality, persecution of minorities, sexual violence, arson, extrajudicial killings, and mass arrests of political figures and activists linked to the previous administration.

The new government faces significant challenges, including an economic downturn, diplomatic failures, and increasing reliance on fundamentalist groups and Pakistan. The rising tensions have also strained Bangladesh's historically strong alliance with India, which could lead to broader geopolitical consequences, including military conflict.

Civil Wars in Historical Context: Civil wars have shaped the political, social, and economic landscapes of nations throughout history. While internal conflicts are usually internal, they often attract international attention due to their far-reaching effects. This section examines the causes, consequences, and political dimensions of civil wars, including historical and contemporary examples.

Historical Summary of Civil Wars: From ancient times to the modern era, civil wars have played a significant role in changing national trajectories. The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) saw the Greek city-states engaged in a struggle that bore the characteristics of a civil war. Similarly, the Roman Civil War (49–45 BC) led to the fall of the republic and the rise of imperial rule.

In the following centuries, internal conflicts such as the Wars of the Roses in England (1455–1487), the English Civil War (1642–1651), and the American Civil War (1861–1865) reshaped governance structures. The 20th and 21st centuries saw the Russian Civil War (1917–1922), the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949), all of which had lasting global effects. Recent conflicts, including Syria (2011–present) and Yemen (2014–present), illustrate the ongoing nature of civil wars.

Causes of civil wars

Civil wars arise from a variety of political, economic, and social factors, including:

Political oppression: Authoritarian rule and suppression of dissent often lead to civil wars, as seen in Syria and Libya.

Ethnic and religious divisions: The conflicts in Rwanda (1990–1994) and Nigeria (1967–1970) show how deep divisions can trigger violent struggle.

Economic inequality: Disputes over resources, as in Sudan, can lead to civil wars.

Colonial legacies: Arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers have led to long-standing internal conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.

Ideological clashes: Political ideologies such as communism versus capitalism have historically fueled wars such as Vietnam and Greece.

Consequences of civil wars: The effects of civil wars are profound, including:

Humanitarian crises: Mass displacement, famine, and widespread human rights violations.

Economic collapse: Destruction of infrastructure and depletion of human capital.

Political instability: Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced challenges to post-conflict governance. Bangladesh seems to be following the same path of conflict.

Regional and global impacts: Destabilization of the entire region, resulting in refugee crises and international intervention.

Political perspectives on civil wars

Different schools of thought offer unique interpretations of civil wars:

Realist perspective: Sees civil wars as power struggles, prioritizing state sovereignty and non-intervention.

Liberal perspective: Advocates human rights and international peacekeeping.

Marxist perspective: Relates civil war to class struggle and economic inequality.

Constructivist perspective: Examines identity, culture, and social structure in civil war.

Comparative Bangladesh scenario

Bangladesh's political unrest, while not yet a full-blown civil war, exhibits many of the characteristics found in internal conflicts worldwide. Political repression, suppression of dissent, judicial manipulation, economic instability, and shifting international alliances have intensified tensions. The government is busy erasing all the history of the country from the 1971 liberation war to the subsequent coups and politics. The defeated forces of 1971 are on the field to take revenge. The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum was bulldozed with the help of the government. They are busy creating a communal state by erasing all the history, traditions, and achievements of independence in the name of reforms, which will give rise to a massive conflict shortly.