Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
Explore BIISS’s evolving annual research agenda and notable publications.
Research Focus 2026
The following research focus
areas and sub-areas have been identified to guide BIISS research activities for
2026.
Research Focus Area 1:
Geopolitics and Evolving Global Order
Sub-Areas
Background
The global order is undergoing a
profound structural transformation driven by intensifying strategic competition
among major powers, the fragmentation of geoeconomic systems, and the weakening
of traditional multilateral security architectures. Power rivalries are
increasingly manifested through military posturing, economic coercion,
technological competition, supply-chain realignments, and competing regional
strategies.
In this evolving environment,
middle powers are recalibrating their foreign policies to navigate competing
centres of power while preserving strategic autonomy and economic resilience.
These dynamics are particularly evident in the Indo-Pacific, where geopolitical
and geostrategic competition continues to intensify. Simultaneously, global and
regional security frameworks are being reshaped to address emerging threats,
hybrid warfare, technological disruptions, and evolving alliance structures.
These developments are redefining global governance while accelerating the
fragmentation of trade, finance, and technology regimes.
For Bangladesh, these
transformations present both strategic challenges and opportunities within an
increasingly multipolar international system. Understanding the interaction
between geopolitics, geoeconomics, and evolving security architectures is therefore
essential for safeguarding national interests and strengthening strategic
foresight.
Under this research focus, BIISS
will examine the drivers and implications of systemic global changes and assess
their impact on regional stability, Bangladesh's foreign policy, and national
security.
Research Focus Area 2:
Contemporary Security and Economic Challenges
Sub-Areas
Background
The convergence of traditional
and non-traditional security threats has significantly expanded the concept of
national security in the contemporary era. Ongoing wars and regional conflicts,
rapid technological advancements, environmental degradation, transnational
crime, and cross-border instability have exposed new vulnerabilities, creating
an increasingly complex security landscape in which economic resilience and
national defence are closely interconnected.
For Bangladesh, these challenges
are compounded by border security concerns, maritime risks, economic
vulnerabilities, environmental threats, cyber and artificial
intelligence-enabled security challenges, the evolving security situation in
the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), and the protracted Forcibly Displaced Myanmar
Nationals (FDMN) crisis. Migration and overseas employment remain vital to
economic stability but also present governance, protection, and security
challenges within an increasingly volatile global labour market.
Addressing these challenges
requires continuous review of defence and national security policies, enhanced
defence diplomacy and security cooperation, modernization of defence
capabilities, and the development of an indigenous defence industrial base to strengthen
long-term strategic autonomy.
Through this research focus,
BIISS will generate policy-oriented research to support integrated national
security planning, strengthen national resilience, and contribute to
sustainable development in an increasingly uncertain strategic environment.
Research Focus Area 3:
Diplomacy and Negotiation
Sub-Areas
Background
Diplomacy and negotiation remain
indispensable instruments for advancing national interests in an increasingly
complex and competitive international environment. As geopolitical rivalries
intensify and global governance mechanisms experience growing pressures, states
must adopt innovative diplomatic strategies to manage disputes, secure critical
resources, expand economic opportunities, and build sustainable partnerships.
For Bangladesh, effective
diplomacy is essential to addressing challenges related to energy security,
transboundary water management, climate vulnerability, and the economic
transition associated with graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC)
category.
Under this research focus, BIISS
will explore negotiation frameworks and sector-specific diplomatic strategies
that can effectively protect national interests, deepen regional and global
engagement, and reinforce Bangladesh's position as a responsible, proactive,
and constructive member of the international community.
Theme-1: Geopolitics and Evolving Global Order.
Great power stand-offs, geo-political competition, challenges to unipolarity, and proxy wars are the overarching phenomena of the evolving Global Order. Year 2024, interestingly also happens to be the Election Year with national elections being held in more than 100 countries from around the world including European Union and the global powers viz., the USA, Russia, India, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Japan, South Korea etc. Results of these elections are expected to be consequential not only for the respective countries but will have significant impact on global geopolitics and strategic environment. With the Asian rise, the geopolitical centre of gravity has moved towards the Indo-Pacific. Geopolitical and strategic outlook and multilateral cooperation will be key aspects for sustained political, security and economic stability in the Indian Ocean region. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the dynamics of the evolving Global Order. Thus, in-depth research from multifarious angles will be necessary to anticipate coming threats, plan for countering the challenges and make required preparations for the uncharted waters of geopolitical pitfalls ahead of Bangladesh.
The sub-areas under this are:
Theme-2: Contemporary Security and Economic Challenges.
The prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, tension in the Indo-Pacific, war and conflict in the Middle East Region engendered threats and security challenges for global peace and stability. All these wars and conflicts have also instigated economic slowdown in recent years. The prolonged shocks disrupted the global supply chain of energy and food grains and, lowered growth rates amplifying financial risks. As anticipated geopolitical risks and severe disharmony in international relations may occur due to regional and global security threats. Bangladesh is not also alienated from the effect of looming global supply shortages, inflationary pressure, and an unstable flow of remittances. The country’s susceptibility to other security-related complexities is evident, due to uncertainties about Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) repatriation, social disturbances, and other pressing issues related to climate, health, transnational crime, and cyber security. Against this backdrop, BIISS is attempting to examine Bangladesh's security and economic-related challenges originating from the ongoing global wars and conflicts replete with security and economic uncertainties.
The sub-themes under this are:
Theme-3: Diplomacy and Negotiation.
The recent wars in Europe and the Middle East region, peace support operations in Africa, trade imbalances, the FDMN crisis, climate change, etc. are of significance to Bangladesh for manoeuvring diplomatic and security involvements; so that it can successfully tap the opportunities from the different bilateral and multilateral arrangements in Regional and Global platform. The research activities under this theme will include but are not limited to exploring effective negotiation strategies, possible ways and potential areas for the country to achieve diplomatic and security leverages and providing appropriate policy suggestions to the government and concerned authorities to address the above mentioned issues and concerns.
The sub-themes under this are:
Theme-1: Geopolitics and Evolving Global Order
The sub-areas under this are:
Theme-2: Contemporary Security and Economic Challenges
The sub-themes under this are:
Theme-3: Diplomacy and Negotiation
The sub-themes under this are:
BIISS undertakes and promotes studies, research and dissemination of knowledge in the fields of international relations, national issues and policies relating to security, defence and external relations, and international peace and security including strategic aspects. For implementation of this objective, BIISS faculty conducted individual research, research projects, publish books and journal and organizes seminar/conference/dialogue, among other activities.
Following themes and sub-themes are selected for the research activities of 2023.
In last two decades, the global order came under tremendous strain as great power competition has taken the centre stage in global politics. Revisionist powers are challenging the "Pax Americana" as the Russia-Ukraine war threatens the "perpetual peace" achieved in Europe. With the Asian rise, the geopolitical centre of gravity has moved towards Indo-Pacific. Brewing geopolitical and strategic rivalry in the Indian Ocean region has made South Asia susceptible to political, strategic and economic instability. Under such a circumstance, Bangladesh is poised to march ahead toward its next milestone to be a developed country by 2041. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the ramifications of the evolving global order. Thus, in-depth research from multifarious angles will be necessary to anticipate coming threats, plan for countering the challenges and make required preparation for the uncharted waters of geopolitical pitfalls ahead of Bangladesh. Sub-themes are Indo-Pacific affairs, Bangladesh's foreign relations, and Bay of Bengal.
The sub-themes under theme-1 are:
Theme-2: Contemporary Security and Economic Challenges.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have instigated a slowdown of the global economy that might contribute to a looming global recession in the year 2023 and beyond. The prolonged shocks from the pandemic and war in Eastern Europe have worsened the situation by disrupting the global supply chain of energy and food grains, low growth rate, worldwide inflation by amplifying financial risks. It is apprehended that many countries will see a rise in civil unrest because of projected economic conditions. It is also anticipated that this situation could exacerbate geopolitical risks and the peaceful course of international relations. Like many other countries, Bangladesh is preparing for a difficult time due to looming global supply shortages, inflationary pressure, and blown remittances. Subsequently, in the upcoming year, the country may also face other security-related complexities due to uncertainties about Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) repatriation, ensuring social security, and other pressing issues related to climate, health, transnational crime, and cyber security. Against this backdrop, BIISS is attempting to examine the security and economic-related challenges for Bangladesh originating from the ongoing global security and economic uncertainties.
The sub-themes under theme 2 are:
Theme-3: Diplomacy and Negotiation.
Taking into cognizance the contemporary and emerging challenges including LDC graduation, the looming economic recession, global inflation, the food and energy crises, the war in Europe, the FDMN crisis, climate change etc., it is of paramount importance for Bangladesh to effectively manoeuvre its diplomatic involvements and devise effective negotiation strategies so that it can continue its neutral posture while engaging with competing regional and global powers and successfully negotiate its demands from the different bilateral and multilateral arrangements. The research activities under this theme will include but are not limited to, exploring possible ways on how Bangladesh can effectively employ its diplomatic tools; evaluating strategies for peacefully navigating its foreign engagements; identifying potential areas for the country to exploit the leverages; and providing appropriate policy suggestions to the government and concerned authorities in order to address the aforementioned issues and concerns.
The sub-themes under theme 3 are:
Theme-1: Foreign Policy and Global Outreach of Bangladesh
Sub-themes under theme-1 are:
Theme-2: Security and Strategic Affairs
Sub-themes under theme-2 are:
Theme-3: Diplomacy and Negotiation
Sub-themes under theme-3 are: