U.S. Think Tank Labels Dr. Muhammad Yunus a ‘Dictator,’ Calls for Personal Sanction

Hindu Voice Team: A senior fellow at the influential U.S. think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has described Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as a “dictator” and urged the imposition of personal sanctions against him. The remarks appeared in a recent opinion piece published by India’s Firstpost.

Criticism of U.S. Policy on Bangladesh

In his article titled “Why Trump Should Not Follow Biden’s Failed Bangladesh Policy,” AEI’s Michael Rubin criticized President Joe Biden for viewing Yunus’s rise to power after the 2024 student protests as a mark of democratic progress. According to Rubin, Yunus used the interim government period to entrench autocratic control, undermining democratic norms.

Rubin further alleged that the 2024 student movement was heavily influenced by foreign interests, including Pakistan’s ISI and financial support from Qatar and Turkey, rather than being a purely domestic uprising.

Allegations Against Yunus Government

The article outlined multiple serious accusations against Dr. Yunus’s administration:

Authoritarianism and retaliation: Suppression of political opponents and dissent.

Arbitrary arrests: Targeting journalists, opposition figures, and secular activists with imprisonment and fabricated charges.

Release of extremists: Freeing Islamist militants allegedly to accommodate political prisoners.

Persecution of minorities: Reports of violence against Hindu and Christian communities.

Exploitation of Nobel Peace Prize: Using the award to shield political reprisals.

Recommended U.S. Actions

Rubin urged that a potential Trump administration should avoid repeating Biden’s perceived errors in Bangladesh. His recommendations include:

1. Declaring the power transition in Bangladesh a “slow-motion coup.”

2. Imposing personal sanctions on Dr. Yunus.

3. Adding Bangladesh to the U.S. religious freedom watch list.

4. Designating Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a terrorist organization.

5. Recognizing Sheikh Hasina as the legitimate leader until a free and fair election occurs.

Warning on Extremism

Rubin concluded with a stark warning: failure to act could turn Bangladesh into a hub of Islamist extremism, drawing a parallel to the U.S. misjudgment of Ayatollah Khomeini during President Jimmy Carter’s tenure.

“Without decisive measures, Bangladesh risks following a path similar to Iran — a nation lost to extremism under the guise of political reform,” he wrote.