The profligate son returns

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

Pir Gazi and his tiger (scene from the Gazi scrolls of Bengal), unknown artist, c. 1800, painted paper scroll, British Museum, London.

Hello,

Here are the five things you need to know today:

• BANGLADESH. After a revolutionary experiment, a reversion to mean.

• PAKISTAN. Khan’s supporters set their sights on Munir.

• AUSTRALIA. Conservative schisms cement Labor’s dominance.

• VENEZUELA. Washington tests whether oil can buy order.

• THE CARIBBEAN. Not everyone’s happy with the Trump doctrine.

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BANGLADESH. Back at it

After a revolutionary experiment, a reversion to mean.

The Bangladesh National Party won 209 of 300 seats, with its leader Tarique Rahman, son of an ex-prime minister and former president, promising economic growth and political stability. Ex-leader Sheikh Hasina called the election a “farce”.

INTELLIGENCE. Hasina fled to Delhi after being toppled by student-led protests in 2024. Rahman’s BNP, despite having long been in opposition, had little to do with the overthrow but has emerged the ultimate victor. Student-led parties only won five seats. It heralds a return to the old ways, with Rahman renowned for graft even by local standards. During his mother’s last term in office, a 2008 US cable called him a “symbol of kleptocratic government.”

FOR BUSINESS. Rahman has been cleared of all historic charges, but in India, at least, he’ll be viewed with suspicion. Delhi will also be on the hunt for public enemies as Bangladesh’s neighbouring states, West Bengal and Assam, head to their own elections next month amid signs of a farmer-led backlash against Narendra Modi’s trade deal with the US. Yet beneath the bluster, economic ties will be quietly restored. Rahman isn’t perfect, but he’s the devil they know.

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PAKISTAN. Eye of the tiger

Khan's supporters set their sights on Munir.

The Supreme Court ordered an investigation into claims jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan had lost 85% of his vision in his right eye. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he would attend the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington.

INTELLIGENCE. As Sharif curries favour with Trump, Khan’s supporters have