First published in Eurasia Review The result of Bangladesh’s parliamentary election surprised few observers who had followed the country’s turbulent politics over the past two years. However, the scale of the outcome still carried drama. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has returned to power with a strong mandate, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) has emerged as a major parliamentary force. The Awami League, once dominant under Sheikh Hasina, stood outside the contest, weighed down by public anger and political isolation. The election therefore opened a new phase in Bangladesh’s political life, [...]