ABSTRACT

The domestic socio-political environment, discussed in the previous chapters, has encouraged the rise of political Islam, particularly its militant variant in Bangladesh; however, regional and extra-regional factors have also contributed to this phenomenon. This chapter focuses specifically upon identifying those regional and extra regional sources of influences that have facilitated the rise of Islamism and Islamist militancy, including ideological and political connections as well as the supply of war material into the country, such as weapons and explosives. By understanding external factors, as well as internal dynamics, this chapter proposes a number of ways that the international community can help Bangladesh stem the rise of militancy within its boundaries and its proliferation beyond national borders.