The February Trap: Yunus, Jamaat, and a Staged Mandate in Bangladesh

• A Washington Post report cited a US diplomat expressing optimism about Jamaat-e-Islami's performance in the 12 February election and suggesting engagement with its student wing.
• The diplomat downplayed fears of Jamaat enforcing Sharia law, stating Washington could impose tariffs if it did, and highlighted the party's university-educated leadership.
• Other international outlets, Reuters and Al Jazeera, also published reports suggesting a strong showing for Jamaat, with Al Jazeera's poll placing its public support at 33.6%.
• The article argues that the current interim administration, led by Yunus, is facilitating Jamaat's rise to power through a 'managed vote' and behind-the-scenes engineering.
• It claims Jamaat's influence is growing across military, judiciary, administration, and universities, with external courtship from US and British authorities intensifying.

Why It Matters: A 'February Trap' is unfolding in Bangladesh, where Yunus and foreign powers are allegedly orchestrating Jamaat's rise to power.