Bangladesh, April 14 -- In the aftermath of Sheikh Hasinas removal from power, Muhammad Yunus told international media that Bangladesh had narrowly escaped a civil war. The remark was enthusiastically embraced not only by his admirers but also by segments of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who interpreted it as a sign of alignment with their interests. However, previously leaked diplomatic communications suggest a far more complex and controversial narrative.

According to disclosures attributed to WikiLeaks, a confidential cable from the US Consulate in Kolkata sheds light on Yunuss political ambitions dating back nearly two decades. In 2007, Bangladesh witnessed a dramatic power shift when a military-backed caretaker ...