REVIEW ARTICLE - NATIONAL SECURITY OF BANGLADESH IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

This article reviews the evolving concept of Bangladesh’s national security in the 21st century. It discusses traditional defense concerns, including border security and military modernization, alongside non-traditional threats such as terrorism, climate change, and cyber risks. The paper explores regional dynamics, especially relations with India, China, and the United States. It argues that Bangladesh’s security strategy must integrate economic, environmental, and human security dimensions to remain effective in a rapidly changing world.

The body begins with an overview of classical security paradigms and how they applied to Bangladesh post-independence. Section One examines the military dimension, including defense modernization, maritime security, and counter-insurgency. Section Two explores non-traditional threats: terrorism, organized crime, pandemics, and environmental stress. Section Three evaluates regional security dynamics, including India–Bangladesh cooperation and Chinese influence in South Asia. Section Four analyzes global trends, including post-9/11 US security policy and its implications for South Asia. Section Five proposes a comprehensive security framework that blends traditional defense with human and environmental security. The conclusion emphasizes that security for Bangladesh in the 21st century must be multidimensional, proactive, and collaborative.