NDC E-JOURNAL

NDC E-JOURNAL, Vol. 05, No. 02, NOVEMBER 2025 (Compiled PDF)

2025-12-04T10:09:58+06:00

MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION: IMPACT ON PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS (CHT)

2025-09-06T07:27:41+06:00

Inconsistencies in reporting-truths mixed with lies, partial truths, one-sided accounts, and outright fabrications-have long shaped narratives of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) incidents, influencing perceptions, deepening mistrust, and obstructing peace consolidation, particularly where relations between Bengalis and ethnic minorities remain fragile. This study examines how misinformation and disinformation continue to undermine peace and human security in the CHT in the post-Accord period. An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted, analyzing key incidents and patterns of problematic information. Findings suggest that misinformation and disinformation not only intensified insecurity during episodes of communal strife but also contributed to the continued fragility of peace after the insurgency. The study argues that equal emphasis must be placed on both the “protection of people” and “empowerment of people” dimensions of the human security framework to counter these challenges.

BETWEEN NEOREALISM AND HUMANITARIAN IMPERATIVES: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF BANGLADESH’S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN RESOLVING THE FORCIBLY DISPLACED MYANMAR NATIONALS (FDMN) CRISIS

2025-10-19T09:44:44+06:00

Strategic partnerships have emerged as a cornerstone of modern foreign policy, offering a flexible, non-binding framework for sustained bilateral cooperation in a multipolar world. The paper contends that Bangladesh’s current strategy is insufficient and disjointed and analyses the effectiveness of its strategic partnerships in resolving the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) crisis. Through the use of an integrated theoretical framework, the analysis shows that, although neoliberalism explains Bangladesh’s institutional engagement and neorealism highlights the structural barriers of power asymmetry and conflicting interests, especially those of China and India, collective action theory best explains implementation gaps in burden-sharing. An assessment of potential partners identifies China and India as a geopolitically vital, but self-interest ally, the US as a crucial humanitarian ally with potentially conflicting political objectives, and Türkiye as a very useful but underutilized middle-power mediator. The crisis ultimately validates neorealism as the dominant explanatory lens, demonstrating that strategic partnerships cannot transcend power politics but are instead essential instruments for navigating them. The study explores the idea that in order to achieve a sustainable solution, Bangladesh must embrace a complex, multifaceted approach that skillfully balances its humanitarian goals with the strategic interests of a diverged international community. It must actively promote middle-power partnerships to create a more robust and successful coalition while utilizing major powers for their influence

SECURING THE BLUE FRONTIER : ACCOUNTING FOR NON-TRADITIONAL MARITIME SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR BANGLADESH

2025-05-18T16:04:28+06:00

Bangladesh’s maritime domain, commonly known as the nation’s blue frontier, has grown in importance from a strategic and economic standpoint. Fisheries, offshore energy, maritime trade, and coastal tourism are all areas of the Bay of Bengal’s blue economy that have enormous potential to boost national and regional economic growth. However, trans-border, multi-sectoral risks known as non-traditional security (NTS) are becoming a greater challenge to the region. These include human trafficking, piracy, maritime pollution, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, rising sea levels brought on by climate change, and the deterioration of coastal ecosystems. Bangladesh must now simultaneously address these multifaceted risks as it seeks to capitalize on the economic potential of its maritime resources. The challenge in the domain is to keep balance between security and sustainable economic growth. Effective management of NTS threats is further hampered by inadequate maritime governance, conflicting institutional mandates, a lack of data, and modest technological capability. In addition to analyzing national responses in relation to regional cooperation frameworks like IORA, BIMSTEC, and SAARC, this journal offers a critical examination of the evolving aspects of maritime security in Bangladesh. Case examples such as the oil disaster in the Sundarbans, the marine trafficking of Rohingya, and the reaction to cyclones demonstrate the urgent need for coordinated maritime policies. The journal will endeavor to necessitate an all-encompassing strategy that incorporates interagency coordination, environmental resilience, and international collaboration. In addition to proactive diplomacy, enhancing Bangladesh’s maritime capabilities will be essential to transforming the blue frontier into a hub for sustainability, peace, and shared prosperity

CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION IN THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS: BRIDGING PEACE THEORY AND UN PRACTICE

2025-10-16T09:46:07+06:00

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has long been experiencing insurgency and low intensity conflict situation. Despite signing of Peace Accord in 1997, a comprehensive solution to the problems could not be reached, and continued violence kept threatening the peace potential in the area. Erstwhile insurgent groups still maintain strong military wings; even the looming risk of “insurgency revival” could not be ruled out. A host of unresolved issues made the situation more complex over the period; discontents persist over the core issues. Arguably the management of CHT conflicts was not necessarily been successful as evident from the continued violence and instability. There are incompatible goals of the conflicting parties (Government and the ethnic minorities) that are yet to be resolved. This warrants conflict transformation, which deals with the incompatible goals in transforming relationship between the conflicting parties. Addressing the root causes, it simultaneously tackles attitudes, behaviours, and problems of the parties for a sustainable solution. This study explored conflict transformation theories wherein “Transcend/Peace Approach” found to be relevant for CHT situation. It also examines the relevance of UN peacekeeping lessons in the conflict transformation of CHT. However, the paper does not seek to establish a one-size-fits-all approach. Some common approaches with UN are assessed to be compatible for transforming the CHT conflict. Few functional recommendations are provided that may bring in peace and stability in the CHT.

DESIGNING A MENTAL MOBILITY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCING DECISIONMAKING IN BANGLADESH ARMY OFFICERS

2025-09-14T04:46:12+06:00

Mental mobility is the ability to function positively in an environment of quick changes, uncertainty, and inadequacy of information. It is the capacity to make quick decisions in complex situations. It is essential for effective decisionmaking. Despite its importance, the Bangladesh Army lacks standardized parameters to measure mental mobility. This study addresses the gap by examining how officers can better develop cognitive agility, including quick information processing and adaptability. Existing training methods emphasize traditional learning approaches, which limit officers’ ability to adapt to dynamic operational environments. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from case studies, interviews, and FGDs and quantitative data from surveys, Officer Performance Reports (OPR) marks, and staff course results. The paper analyzed key performance indicators such as OPR marks, staff course results, and commanders’ assessments to measure officers’ mental mobility. The focus was on intellectual ability, creativity, and fastness in decision-making. Findings revealed that while officers perform well in intellectual ability, they struggle to process information quickly and make effective decisions under stress. A key challenge is the lack of formal mental mobility data within the military system, making it difficult to effectively assess and appoint officers to command roles. The study recommends introducing a set of mental mobility training in regular courses, enhanced mentorship programs, and systematic assessment mechanisms for measuring cognitive agility through revised OPR formats and course reports. Maintaining a mental mobility database at the MS branch is also essential for selecting officers based on their cognitive agility score for command appointments.

HOW UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN BANGLADESH PERCEIVE NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA MISINFORMATION: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

2025-11-17T05:48:09+06:00

Due to the fast development of social media, misinformation has become a major issue for national security. This is of concern, especially in Bangladesh, which has high intensity internet penetration and high youth population. Adhering to the theory of securitization, this is a quantitative research inquiry of the perception among university students regarding national security threat posed by social media misinformation. The data were collected through a descriptive survey of 300 students. The study participants were recruited in the public universities as well as in the private universities in five major cities of the country. Stratified sampling methodology was employed to ensure that the sample was representative of the larger student population. The findings are striking: 92% of the students reported having a Facebook account and spending an average of more than three hours per day on social media, while 72% of them refer to it as their main news source. Misinformation of political nature was the most common (41%) and religious false content comes next (35%). It was found that there was a shortage on verification: 25% of them always search information; 50% of them do only simple Google searches. However, 79% respondents believe that misinformation is a real national security threat, usually suggesting a foreign involvement. The results indicate a lack of a relationship between high threat perception and low personal accountability which present the problem as an existential threat with securitization.

MODERN OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY THROUGH DECEPTION AND DETERRENCE: A STRATEGIC APPRAISAL FOR THE BANGLADESH ARMY

2025-11-02T08:46:16+06:00

The research evaluates how modern decoy systems would work as a defence strategy for the Bangladesh Army to improve its deterrence capabilities against advanced enemies. The research investigates how Bangladesh lacks both decoy stockpiles and operational guidelines for its military forces even though other nations use decoy systems to defend against advanced surveillance and precision-strike technology. The research combines literature reviews with conflict case studies of Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan Wars and expert military professional interviews to evaluate both practicality and operational value. The research shows that present-day inflatable and heat-emitting decoys create substantial protection for military forces through their ability to confuse enemy surveillance systems and redirect precision-guided missiles while hiding actual military assets. The systems create psychological effects on enemies while providing affordable force multiplication benefits during operations in challenging terrain such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and southeastern frontier zones. The research also displays that deploying advanced decoy systems with electronic countermeasures and adaptive camouflage technology provide Bangladesh with an affordable method to boost its defensive capabilities during hybrid warfare conflicts. The research indicated that multiple barriers exist which prevent the military from adopting decoy systems at scale. The main constraint to decoy system adoption stems from insufficient funding which hinders continuous procurement, research and development activities, the military’s lack of trained experts in deception operations and decoy technology and finally, insufficient facilities for testing and training. The operational need for decoys has not led to faster institutional change because of these organizational barriers. The implementation of decoy systems as a national defence strategy depends on strategic partnerships, capacity development and doctrinal updates to overcome current structural constraints. The implementation of decoy systems as a fundamental defence element would boost Bangladesh military’s operational efficiencies and defensive capabilities.

EDUCATION AS A STRATEGIC INSTRUMENT FOR SOVEREIGNTY: BANGLADESH IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

2025-10-28T14:03:21+06:00

This research paper examines education as a strategic instrument for sovereignty, arguing that a nation’s power now extends beyond military might to its intellectual and human capital. The paper employs a mixed-methods design, combining a qualitative, comparative case-study analysis with a quantitative field survey of 220 key stakeholders in Bangladesh. The findings reveal that while education was historically central to Bangladesh’s national identity, there is now a critical consensus that systemic weaknesses are creating strategic vulnerabilities. Survey data confirms that a severe curriculum-market mismatch (identified by 82% of respondents) and an acute ‘brain drain’ (rated as a severe threat by 88%) are undermining the nation’s economic and technological sovereignty. International case studies from nations like South Korea and Singapore provide models for strategically leveraging education for national resilience and economic transformation. The paper concludes with data-driven policy implications for Bangladesh, advocating for curriculum reforms, strategic investment in STEM education, and formalised military-academic partnerships. This research asserts that for developing nations, strategically managing education is not a social service but an indispensable pillar of modern statecraft and national security.

SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT, DENSITY TRENDS AND LIVABILITY ASPECTS FOR METROPOLITAN PLANNING: IMPLICATIONS FOR RAJSHAHI CITY

2025-11-14T12:42:04+06:00

Cities and adjacent settlements are in a continuous process of change, readjustment and evolution around the world. Due to rapid urbanization, migration and population growth Rajshahi is experiencing rapid density growth, transformation in city livability and spatial development. The aim of the research was to undertake an in-depth study of spatial development growth pattern, density gradients and livability attributes in Rajshahi Metropolitan area in order to formulate recommendations for improving city planning system and ensure sustainable growth of the city. The study explored the spatial development growth pattern using multitemporal and multi-spectral Landsat 8 OLI and Landsat 5 TM satellite data sets. Besides the change in land use pattern, density attributes (population, residential and structural density) with the help of BBS and RMDP GIS databases. In addition, sky view factor (SVF) and kernel density estimation were used for better understanding of density attributes. Moreover, the livability aspects were investigated using the questionnaire survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with the local residents. Results from the study reveals that, the built form of the study area has increased to almost twofold in last 30 years. Subsequently the decadal change in spatial growth clearly indicates that vegetation, waterbody and bare land portion is exhibiting decreasing trend gradually. The results also revealed that both the gross and net population density is rising steadily but the residential and structural density has been significantly increased in the last 20 years. Hence, livability of the study area is impacted to a great extent and demanding density planning for the city to increase the livability and functionality of the city.