Mir Abdul Alim

The tremors of war spread through the veins of economies, disrupting markets and unsettling diplomatic balances. What began as an Iran-Israel conflict has rapidly evolved into a broader Middle East crisis—and its tremors are reaching Bangladesh’s doorstep. These tremors are visible not just in foreign remittance flows and pump prices but even in our currency reserves. Storms don’t just thunder in the sky; they surge through markets, currencies, and minds.

If war were confined to battlefields, perhaps Bangladesh would remain insulated. But today’s conflicts spill over into trade routes, remittances, food supply chains—even United Nations resolutions. Though direct hits may not reach us, indirect repercussions are profound. Remittance inflows could shrink, fuel prices may spike, import costs could balloon, and our currency may falter. In such a volatile world, Bangladesh must embrace vigilant monitoring, pre-emptive preparation, and nimble diplomacy. Silence now means forfeiting opportunities or ignoring impending danger.

The storm is coming—but with foresight, we need not be swept away. What lies ahead isn’t just nuclear brinkmanship, but symbolic warfare too—neutrality vs. alignment, diplomatic balancing vs. international pressure.

Preparation before the storm hits should be taken in following sectors : 

1. Energy Security:

Bangladesh’s fuel imports—largely from the Persian Gulf—face severe vulnerability. Even minor disruptions in shipping or production elsewhere trigger global price spikes. With depleted reserves and rising costs, supply shocks pose serious threats to industry, transportation, and agriculture—especially diesel-dependent farming. The government must build strategic fuel reserves, diversify import sources toward Russia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, and invest aggressively in renewable energy to insulate the nation.

2. Safeguarding Remittance and Migrant Workers:

Gulf countries contribute over half of Bangladesh’s remittances. War threatens not only physical infrastructure but employment and labor mobility. A military escalation in Saudi Arabia or the UAE could lead to tighter immigration policies, layoffs, or disrupted visas—jeopardizing families and foreign exchange reserves. Bangladesh’s embassies must monitor expatriate welfare, establish emergency support cells, and expand diplomatic efforts to secure alternative labor markets in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

3. Food Supply Chain Resilience:

Our dependence on imports of wheat, corn, soy, and sugar—often routed via the Red Sea—makes us vulnerable. Conflict and Houthi attacks in that region could delay shipments or drive up prices, pushing up food costs locally and threatening the food security of lower-income families. To counter this, the government must forge long-term supply contracts with countries like Russia, India, and Brazil while incentivizing domestic agricultural productivity through subsidies and farmer support.

4. Navigating Diplomatic Tightropes:

Bangladesh has long championed neutrality with friendly ties across Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Simultaneously, we rely on Western countries and multilateral bodies aligned with Israel. Remaining neutral yet effective in forums like the UN and OIC demands nuanced diplomacy—explicitly advocating humanitarian peace without antagonizing any bloc.

5. Balancing Relations with China and Russia:

China and Russia remain key strategic partners, but overreliance carries risks. After our nuanced voting record in the Russia–Ukraine crisis, Western scrutiny intensified. We must adopt a “smart and balanced” foreign policy—maintaining relations with China and Russia while upholding trust with the West. Today’s non-alignment must be flexible and proactive.

6. Countering U.S. Pressure with Diplomatic Finesse:

The U.S. monitors not only war issues but also Bangladesh’s internal dynamics, using human rights and election transparency as leverage. During wars, that scrutiny intensifies. Bangladesh needs skilled diplomacy—media outreach, expert briefing, and strategic communications. This is not about protest, but about counter-narratives and calibrated engagement.

7. Responsible Media and Public Engagement:

In crisis, irresponsible media can spread confusion. Misinformation, inflammatory commentary, and biased narratives endanger public trust. The government must promote fact-based journalism, regular briefings, and expert voices. This isn’t censorship—it’s dialogue through credible and transparent platforms.

8. National Unity as Strategic Necessity:

Although this crisis unfolds at the global level, its management must be domestic. Without minimal political consensus, Bangladesh’s international voice risks being fragmented. Now is the time for a national advisory forum—bringing all parties together to forge a cohesive foreign and economic security strategy.

9. Leveraging Soft Power for Peace:

Bangladesh can brand itself as a neutral mediator and peace contributor. Through the UN, OIC, and regional forums, we can champion mediation and peacemaking—building our image as a humanitarian actor. Our status as a leading UN peacekeeping nation gives moral weight to such initiatives, boosting global respect and trust.

Conclusion:

It remains unclear when or how the Iran–Israel war will end—or whom the world will ultimately support. But for Bangladesh, this global turbulence is a wake-up call. Neutrality does not mean passivity; it means awareness and readiness. Though distant, the shockwaves are close to home. To survive and thrive, our fuel, food, finance, diplomacy, media, and national unity must be fortified now. Let us be participants—not mere spectators—in global affairs. Preparedness today is the only defence against tomorrow’s storm.

The writer is a columnist, researcher and secretary General, Columnist Forum of Bangladesh.He can be reached at email  www.mirabdulalim.com