Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has claimed that her recent removal from office was orchestrated by the US to gain control over the strategically important St. Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal. In a dramatic letter, Hasina alleged that she was pressured to surrender the island to American influence and faced violent protests incited by foreign forces. Her resignation was framed as a stand against turning Bangladesh into a battleground for global power games. Now, as violence continues and a new US-backed leader takes charge, Hasina vows to fight back, urging her fellow Bangladeshis to resist manipulation and stay hopeful for her return.
The Secret Behind Sheikh Hasina’s Fall
Recently, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down after violent protests led by students. Hasina has suggested that foreign powers were behind her removal, and her resignation might be linked to a big strategic game involving a tiny island: St. Martin Island.
In a dramatic letter, Hasina claimed she could have stayed in power if she had agreed to give up control over St. Martin Island to the United States. She said she chose to resign rather than see violence and bloodshed, refusing to let the US use Bangladesh’s territory for its own gain. Hasina, who has been a key political figure in Bangladesh for many years, mentioned her family’s legacy and urged her fellow Bangladeshis to stay hopeful despite her departure.
The Island with a Big Secret
St. Martin Island, a small piece of land in the Bay of Bengal, has become a focal point in this political drama. Earlier this year, Hasina alleged that a Western country offered her an easy win in elections if she allowed them to build a military base on the island. She refused, sticking to Bangladesh’s policy of avoiding military alliances. This refusal seems to have set off a chain of events leading to her ousting.
The Bigger Picture: Mackinder’s Theory
To understand why St. Martin Island is so important, we need to look at a theory from over a century ago. In 1904, a British geographer named Halford Mackinder introduced the “Heartland Theory.” Mackinder believed that whoever controlled the central part of Eurasia, which he called the “Heartland,” would have the power to dominate the world.
Here’s why this theory matters now: The Heartland includes much of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Mackinder argued that controlling this region would give a country significant power over global affairs. Today, strategic locations in this area are still crucial for global influence.
What’s Happening with St. Martin Island?
Jeff Brown, an international affairs expert, has pointed out that the US might be eyeing St. Martin Island as a strategic location, similar to how it views other important places globally. He suggests that the US wants to control this island to gain a strategic advantage in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. This would help counter China’s influence in the region, as China has established strong ties with countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
By controlling St. Martin Island, NATO could keep an eye on neighboring countries and gain leverage over regional politics. This control could help NATO surround and influence the Heartland, a region that is currently seeing rising influence from China and Russia.
The Grand Strategy
In essence, the struggle over St. Martin Island reflects a larger geopolitical game. The US and its allies are trying to gain strategic positions around the Heartland to counterbalance the growing influence of China, Russia, and other powers. The recent events in Bangladesh, including the rise of a new interim leader who is seen as friendly to Western interests, fit into this broader strategy.
So, Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the unrest in Bangladesh are not just about local politics. They are part of a grander strategy involving key locations and global power plays, all linked to the ideas proposed by Mackinder over a hundred years ago.
