US Footprint Expands In Post-Hasina Bangladesh

The recent uptick in US military activity in Bangladesh's strategically vital Chittagong region has stirred regional unease, with implications that stretch beyond the country's borders.

Located near India's northeastern frontier and Myanmar, Chittagong has become a focal point for growing international interest, particularly from Washington and Beijing.

On Sunday, a C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft of the US Air Force-typically stationed at Yokota Airbase in Japan-landed at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, according to a report in Economic Times.

While officially unremarkable, the landing is being interpreted by regional analysts as part of a broader pattern of increased US engagement in
the area.

Since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power in Dhaka, the US military has made frequent appearances in Chittagong, conducting reconnaissance missions and joint drills. Earlier this year, Bangladesh and the US held bilateral exercises-Operation Pacific Angel-25 and Tiger Lightning-2025-focused on disaster response, counterterrorism, and tactical readiness. Another joint exercise is reportedly in the pipeline, with a fresh contingent of US troops arriving last week.

The strategic calculus appears to extend beyond Bangladesh. The report suggest that both the US and China are actively courting rebel factions in Myanmar, raising questions about the broader geopolitical chessboard in the Bay of Bengal region.

Adding to the intrigue, the body of a US Special Forces Command (Airborne) officer was discovered last month in a luxury hotel in Dhaka, fueling speculation about covert operations and intelligence activities.

The situation is further complicated by allegations surrounding the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Hasina had publicly accused the US of engineering her removal through a "street revolution" after she refused to cede control of St Martin's Island to American interests.

As the region grapples with shifting alliances and strategic maneuvering, the growing US footprint in Chittagong is being closely watched by India, Myanmar, and other stakeholders concerned about the balance of power in South Asia.