The recent upheaval in Bangladesh, leading to the ousting of elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, has turned into a tragic tale of violence against religious minorities. Radical elements close to Muhammad Yunus, an “interim” leader with ties to the Clintons, have been involved in these conflicts. A detailed report sheds light on how USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) financially backed the violent coup that toppled Hasina’s government.
The report, titled “American Aid and Regime Change in Bangladesh: A Primer” by Jaibal Naduvath, was released by the Indian Observer Research Foundation.
Sheikh Hasina’s refusal to choose sides in the US-Russia conflict over Ukraine seems to have placed her in the crosshairs of the US Deep State’s regime change strategies. Allegations in the report suggest that Washington, specifically USAID and NED, was retaliating against Hasina for not relinquishing control of Saint Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal for a proposed US airbase aimed at countering China.
As reported by the “This is Why They Hate Us” article, Bangladesh delayed signing crucial military cooperation agreements with Washington, a move pushed by former Under-Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, as per Jeffrey Sachs on Common Dreams.
Cybersecurity expert Mike Benz highlighted on Newsmax how NED, along with the International Republican Institute (IRI), funded local cultural events and universities to propagate revolutionary ideas and destabilize the elected government.
My full hit on USAID on Newsmax tonight with @DavidJHarrisJr. If you’re a policymaker or legislator involved in USAID oversight, I implore you to listen to this segment very carefully.
— Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber)
February 5, 2025
According to the ORF report, from US fiscal years 2020 to 2024, Bangladesh received $2.29 billion in aid, with $1.73 billion from USAID. Shortly after the new interim government took over, USAID committed $200 million for development agreements, allegedly to support governance and trade expansion.
Muhammad Yunus, a known Clinton associate and donor to the Clinton Foundation, is now the “Chief Adviser” of Bangladesh. The Grayzone reports Yunus boasted about the planned nature of Hasina’s overthrow.
Yunus’s cabinet includes Touhid Hossain, who participated in a USAID workshop, reflecting clear connections to Washington. The IRI allegedly spent millions aiding opposition parties, especially targeting urban youth.
The report mentions rapper Towfique Ahmed, who received grants for music videos advocating for youth protests and highlighting social issues, and the engagement of the LGBTQ+ community through performance grants. These initiatives aimed to foster dissent against the government, culminating in large student protests that mirrored events like Jan. 6 in the US and Jan. 8 in Brazil.
The ORF report suggests these activities were part of a well-orchestrated campaign rather than spontaneous uprisings, supported by NED and other agencies, to ensure regime change in Bangladesh.
Additionally, USAID-funded projects like the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) were reportedly involved in negative media campaigns against Hasina, reminiscent of attacks on US figures like Rudy Giuliani.
