Good article on national security

[rafiq]

Air Commodore Choudhury on National Security


I thought the article is a good piece of critical analysis without overt political bias, something quite rare.

[Zunaid]

I do agree - in fact a rather courageous article considering he touched on several "taboo" subjects

- the necessity of the armed forces
- the dangers of extremism from either side of the spectrum - particularly speaking about the rising danger from the "Islamists" - note his drawing a very appropriate analogy to the initial Indonesian refusal to acknowledge the existence of their own militants until Bali
- his statement on the proliferating madrassahs and obscurantist mollahs alienated from the the world

I am not too sanguine about his hope that AL/BNP will both wake up to work together to fight the perils of extremism. I am afraid it may be too late for the extremists have planted themselves quite firmly into our body politic.

I recall reading an interesting article from this author in a BISS journal issue about the imperative of complete civilian control of the armed forces in a democratic society. And this was written while he was still in the Air Force.

It is a pleasant surprise to find that such rational and erudite men can still be found in Bangladesh.

[rafiq]

Zunaid, I noticed the Lahore hotel thread had almost 3 times the views as this thread.

George Bush is going to win the the Nov elections by an electoral college landslide, the writing is already on the wall.

do you see a correlation?

[Arnab]

Let me see:

First, he talks about the low budget for the police forces and the disproportionate spending on the military. Repeating the obvious.

Then, he adds his own anecdotes on arms smuggling. Ok.

Then he touches on India-China strategical issues regarding 1971. A little clarification on history. Fair enough. Probably the most useful part of the article.

The rest is basically old wine in new bottle. What he has said about Islamist extremsits has been said a zillion times already, even since before my birth, by writers like Badruddin Umar et al.

But it's a good article nonetheless. If this is the current "par" of a good analytical article, then it's pretty sad. We definitely need more of these or even better articles.

[Sultanzz]

I've heard that Bangladesh is thinking of accquiring the Al-Khalid tanks, and probably the JF-17 fighter plane ??

Bangladesh needs to replace there aging fleet of AF planes, and as of yet, the JF-17 seems to be the best deal for the Bangladesh..

there is no compromise on National security !

with a Stong Military comes security, with security comes more investment, and that eventually leads to the betterment of the common man.

Edited on, September 11, 2004, 11:20 PM GMT, by Sultanzz.

[oracle]

After reading this article I had one thought in my mind. Why can't DS break some new ground and ask the man in the street;garment worker;garment factory owner to convey what they feel about arms smuggling, Islamic militants and security. Personally, I would like to hear from the business community more, as these "analytical" articles (which are meant to be written by defence experts) are not shedding any new light, quite frankly, at least i did'nt walk away a more enlightened man after reading it.

Having said that I avidly read their National segment with mouth watering reports of how farmers are reaping immense profits growing ginger or whatever, in Barisal?.

[Sultanzz]

by the way, who would attack Bangladesh ?

[Carte Blanche]

Good question. If India decides to attack us, I don't see how we can survive. Kinda makes me wonder why we waste money on army.

[Sultanzz]

What would India attack Bangladesh for ??

I don't see a valid reason for India to attack Bangladesh ..

[Carte Blanche]

War doesn't require a very valid reason. Just look at what USA is doing. But yes I do agree with you. India doesn't have any reason to attack us (yet). I used India simply as an example because they are our neighbours and we have some issues of conflicting interests. I don't see any other country with a possible reason to attack us. However, if I had to name a potential invader, India's name would pop up first in my mind. And if they do it, lord knows how we will survive.

[Sultanzz]

Actually, the U.S does have a reason to go into Iraq... they want OIL...

anyways, i don't see why India would attack.. and i don't see a reason why Myanmaar would attack..... or the U.S for the fact ....

Edited on, September 12, 2004, 3:25 AM GMT, by Sultanzz.

[Carte Blanche]

Originally posted by Sultanzz
Actually, the U.S does have a reason to go into Iraq... they want OIL...

Edited on, September 12, 2004, 3:25 AM GMT, by Sultanzz.

"Valid" reason.

[Sultanzz]

So, what could a country attack Bangladesh for ?

Maybe if a country decides to expand, then only, but otherwise Bangladesh is safe!

[potshot]

BD has another neighbour apart from India,viz Myanmar. And believe it or not, BD bullies Myanmar with its military might. In fact BD army were massed against the Myanmar border a few years back to successfully dissuade Myanmar from constructing a dam in their country. Shows that BD will also behave like a bully if it can have someone weaker than itself to contend with.

[rafiq]

are you sure Myanmar, as oppressive and stuck in the 10th century as that military regime is, is actually weaker than Bangladesh? Maybe we should declare war and take advantage, in that case!

[coolheels]

It is the world opinion and the resultant economic sanctions that keep most countries from attacking their weaker neighbours.

[Zunaid]

Originally posted by potshot
BD has another neighbour apart from India,viz Myanmar. And believe it or not, BD bullies Myanmar with its military might. In fact BD army were massed against the Myanmar border a few years back to successfully dissuade Myanmar from constructing a dam in their country. Shows that BD will also behave like a bully if it can have someone weaker than itself to contend with.

If there is any militarily weak country in the region - it is Bangladesh. The Burmese Army is five folds larger (500K+) than the Bangladesh army.

[potshot]

A news report from 2001 when BD Rifles flexed their muscles against the Burmese Army:

Excerpts:
Myanmar suspended construction of the dam after a flag meeting between
rival local commanders following a border clash on January 8.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh said its troops were ready to respond quickly if
Myanmar soldiers opened fire across the countries' border or if Myanmar
resumes construction of a dam on the NAF border river.

"We are ready for a prompt and appropriate response if they pull the
trigger again or resume construction of the dam," said Colonel Shawkat
Ali, a Commanding Officer of the BDR. Ali said Bangladesh had deployed
more than 10,000 para-mililary troops to face any attack from Myanmar.
Witnesses said BDR troops have taken up position in fortified positions
and bunkers.

News Report: Myanmar clamps curfew along Bangla
Another news link

Edited on, September 12, 2004, 3:40 PM GMT, by potshot.

[Sultanzz]

Guys,

Does anyone know what happened to that 100 Al Khalid tank deal ?

[Bangla Mostan]

Originally posted by Sultanzz
Guys,

Does anyone know what happened to that 100 Al Khalid tank deal ?

Beats me totally .... Dont have a clue as to what happened.:cool2:

[Unknown]

[qupte]Does anyone know what happened to that 100 Al Khalid tank deal ?[/quote]

No what is this thing you are talking about? I have a hunch though, that this is about the military acquiring new tanks.

Edited on, September 12, 2004, 10:08 PM GMT, by Unknown.

[halar hala]

Originally posted by Unknown
[qupte]Does anyone know what happened to that 100 Al Khalid tank deal ?

No what is this thing you are talking about? I have a hunch though, that this is about the military acquiring new tanks.

Edited on, September 12, 2004, 10:08 PM GMT, by Unknown. [/quote]

I know what happened. They tried to cross the mighty Buriganga river but was drowned in the midway. Next dry season they found them and the people in nearby Zinzira made chapati out of them. Chapatis are also weapons indeed.

[Sultanzz]

Zunaid Admin,

If you read Halar hala'z comments, they are so anti-pakistani, and your MOD's keep telling me that people here are friendly.

Anyways, i think Bangladesh ordered them, but for some reason they might have cancelled the deal...

[USA PATRIOT MISSLE]

Originally posted by Sultanzz
What would India attack Bangladesh for ??

I don't see a valid reason for India to attack Bangladesh ..

Listen, India is a not far from being a world power and could []

Warning: Read forum rules (Rule #A5).
Admin


Edited on, September 14, 2004, 5:37 AM GMT, by nasif.

[USA PATRIOT MISSLE]

Originally posted by Sultanzz
So, what could a country attack Bangladesh for ?

Maybe if a country decides to expand, then only, but otherwise Bangladesh is safe!

Last Warning - Admin

Deleted.


Edited on, September 14, 2004, 5:50 AM GMT, by Zunaid.