Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: The United States is preparing to return diplomats to several American embassies across the Middle East that were evacuated before and during the war with Iran, a move that could signal Washington does not expect an immediate return to full-scale hostilities, according to an internal State Department document cited by The New York Times.

The return of Foreign Service officers and the gradual scaling back of emergency measures at U.S. diplomatic missions in the region could begin as early as this week, the report said. Reuters, which reviewed the report, said it was not immediately able to independently verify the information, while the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

The diplomatic missions expected to restore higher staffing levels are in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait, according to the reported State Department document.

The move comes after months of heightened tensions and military confrontation involving the United States and Iran. Washington had reduced staffing at several diplomatic posts and authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members as the security situation deteriorated.

Lebanon among first missions to receive diplomats

According to the document cited by the Times, the first diplomats returning to the region are expected to be assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. However, the mission would initially operate below its normal staffing level. The staffing plan calls for a gradual restoration of personnel rather than an immediate return to pre-conflict levels.

The U.S. embassies in Israel, Jordan and Oman are ultimately expected to return to full staffing, while other missions would continue to operate under temporary limits. Under the reported plan, diplomatic posts in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon would initially be capped at about 85 percent of their normal staffing levels. Missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain would initially operate at approximately 75 percent of normal staffing.

State Department cites security assessments

The State Department, in a statement quoted by The New York Times, said it continually reviews security conditions at U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. The department said staffing decisions are being adjusted based on the latest security assessments, with the dual objective of maintaining the ability to advance U.S. foreign-policy goals while protecting American diplomatic personnel.

The planned redeployment therefore does not necessarily mean Washington considers the Middle East fully secure. Instead, the gradual return suggests U.S. officials believe conditions at some locations have improved enough to allow a larger diplomatic presence.

Evacuations began amid rising tensions with Iran

The reduction in diplomatic staffing began earlier this year as tensions with Iran intensified. Washington authorized voluntary departures of non-emergency personnel and family members from certain U.S. diplomatic missions amid concerns about possible attacks and the wider regional consequences of the conflict.

The security situation subsequently led to evacuations and emergency measures at multiple American missions across the region. The United States has maintained a substantial military and diplomatic presence in the Middle East despite the conflict, while continuing to monitor threats to American personnel and facilities.

Return does not mean risks are over

The planned return of diplomats is being viewed as an indication that Washington currently does not anticipate an immediate escalation into another period of large-scale fighting with Iran. However, the security environment remains volatile. The United States continues to assess threats to its personnel, diplomatic facilities and military assets throughout the region.

The timing of the redeployment is also significant because Washington and Tehran remain engaged in a broader confrontation involving military, diplomatic and economic pressure. Iran has continued to reject aspects of U.S. pressure while signaling openness to renewed negotiations under certain conditions.

The Trump administration on Monday also expanded sanctions targeting Iranian individuals, entities and vessels, while Iranian officials vowed to resist the new measures. Reuters reported Tuesday that Pakistan has been involved in efforts to convey messages between Washington and Tehran as discussions over a possible return to negotiations remain under consideration.

For Washington, restoring diplomatic staffing could therefore serve two purposes: allowing U.S. embassies to resume more normal operations while maintaining the diplomatic infrastructure needed to respond to rapidly changing developments in the region.

The State Department’s decision to increase staffing gradually, rather than immediately restore all positions, underscores that U.S. officials continue to view security conditions as a significant concern.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: Canada is preparing to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s escalating tariff offensive, as the trade relationship between the two North American neighbors moves deeper into a full-blown economic confrontation. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to respond to the latest U.S. tariffs “dollar for dollar,” with Canadian retaliatory measures expected to target a range of American products.

The latest escalation follows the collapse of intensive trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa. The United States has imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, affecting products ranging from wine, dairy and clothing to cement, electronics and hockey equipment. Canada has said its retaliatory tariffs will take effect on September 8 and will target U.S. steel, dairy products, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, electronics and other goods.

Canada’s economic leverage

Although Canada relies heavily on the U.S. market, the economic relationship works both ways. The two countries have deeply integrated supply chains, particularly in manufacturing, energy, agriculture and automobiles. That interdependence gives Ottawa several potential tools to put pressure on American businesses and consumers.

One of Canada’s most immediate options is targeted tariffs on American products. By choosing goods produced in politically influential states or industries dependent on Canadian customers, Ottawa can increase the domestic pressure on the Trump administration.

Canadian officials have also indicated that the country intends to strengthen trade relationships with other international partners, reducing its long-term dependence on the United States. The automobile industry could become a major battleground The automotive sector is among the most vulnerable areas in the escalating dispute.

Trump said Monday that he plans to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian cars, trucks and automotive parts beginning January 1, 2027, further increasing pressure on an industry whose production networks span the U.S.-Canada border.

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Tuesday that Ottawa could announce retaliatory measures against the United States in response. He warned that the automotive tariffs could disrupt highly integrated supply chains and increase costs for manufacturers and consumers on both sides of the border. Canada’s auto industry is particularly important to Ontario, where manufacturing plants and suppliers are closely connected to American companies and markets.

Energy remains another potential weapon

Canada is also an important supplier of energy to the United States. Any decision to restrict or otherwise disrupt energy exports could therefore have consequences well beyond Canada’s borders. However, using energy as a retaliatory weapon would carry significant risks for Canada as well. Both countries have built highly interconnected energy markets over decades, meaning a major disruption could hurt producers, businesses and consumers on both sides. For that reason, Ottawa is likely to weigh economic and political consequences carefully before taking such a step.

American consumers could feel the impact

Tariffs are ultimately paid through the supply chain, meaning higher import costs can be passed on to businesses and consumers. The latest U.S. tariffs already cover more than 550 Canadian products and are expected to affect approximately $20 billion in Canadian exports. Products include honey, cosmetics, hockey sticks, smartphones, textiles, paper and electronics.

If Canada responds with equivalent tariffs, American companies that rely on Canadian markets could face higher costs and reduced demand. The result could be particularly significant for industries operating across the border, where components and finished products frequently move between the two countries multiple times before reaching consumers.

A difficult choice for Ottawa

Canada’s problem is that its strongest economic weapon can also hurt its own economy. Nearly 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States, making the American market exceptionally important to Canadian businesses. A prolonged trade war could therefore lead to higher prices, reduced investment, job losses and business closures in Canada. Carney has acknowledged those risks while arguing that Ottawa cannot simply accept Washington’s demands.

“We cannot accept what they have offered, and we will not give what they have asked,” Carney said after the trade talks collapsed.

Trade war could reshape North American commerce

The dispute is now about more than a single round of tariffs. It could determine the future structure of North American trade. The United States, Canada and Mexico have spent decades building an integrated economic system under successive free-trade agreements, culminating in the USMCA.

The collapse of the latest U.S.-Canada negotiations has raised fresh questions about the future of that framework. For Canada, the immediate strategy appears to be a combination of retaliation, support for affected industries and diversification of international trade.

For Trump, the objective is to use America’s enormous consumer market as leverage to force concessions from Ottawa. The coming months will show whether that strategy succeeds—or whether Canada’s response ultimately creates enough economic and political pressure inside the United States to push Washington back toward negotiations.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has expressed its willingness to provide full support to Bangladesh in its overall reform process, including legal and judicial reforms and proposed constitutional amendments.

UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques expressed the organization’s interest during a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the minister’s office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday morning, according to a press release issued by the ministry.

The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with the two sides discussing a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including constitutional reform, assistance for Rohingya refugees, capacity building for the Bangladesh Police, institutional and technological support to combat rumors and misinformation, the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, and the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act. Rodriques said UNDP is keen to support the priorities and reform agenda of the current government.

“We want to support the goals, priorities and action plans of the present government,” he said, congratulating Salahuddin Ahmed on his appointment as chairman of the special committee on constitutional amendments.

“If you wish, we are interested in providing the necessary support for this reform process,” he added.

The home minister highly appreciated UNDP’s longstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development and called for further expansion of the partnership in the coming days.

Referring to UNDP’s work with forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, commonly known as Rohingyas, the resident representative said the organization has been working to improve living conditions in the refugee camps through environmental protection initiatives, including landslide prevention, as well as various social development programmes.

The home minister said Bangladesh wants appropriate improvement and modernization of existing infrastructure in the Rohingya camps but does not want any new infrastructure to be constructed there in the greater national interest.

Rodriques also said UNDP has been providing training to Bangladesh Police on protecting citizens’ rights, conflict resolution and other professional skills to strengthen the institutional capacity of the force. The home minister stressed the importance of continued UNDP support in improving the professionalism and operational capacity of the police.

Discussing the misuse of information technology, Rodriques said misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are spreading rapidly through digital platforms. He said UNDP is already working with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and is prepared to provide technological and institutional support to ensure prompt remedies for violations.

The minister said Bangladesh has already enacted the Cyber Security Act and suggested that UNDP could provide logistical support for its effective implementation. Responding to a question about the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, Salahuddin Ahmed said the draft National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026 has received final approval from the Cabinet and is expected to be passed during the next session of Parliament.

He said opinions from UNDP, international organizations, foreign missions, development partners, newspaper editors and legal experts had been incorporated into the drafting process, along with consideration of Bangladesh’s social values and religious sentiments. The minister also said that no incidents of enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing have occurred since the current government assumed office.

Sharing his personal experience of enforced disappearance, he said the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026 has also received policy approval from the Cabinet.  Highlighting Bangladesh’s image abroad, the UNDP resident representative said international media do not always portray the country’s actual situation. He described Bangladesh as a liberal and religiously tolerant country and said UNDP is interested in supporting efforts to promote Bangladesh’s positive image internationally.

DHAKA: Chiefs of three services today paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban, said a Bangabhaban press release here. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met the President this noon. During the meeting, they congratulated the President on his assuming office as the President and conveyed their best wishes for his tenure.

They also briefed the President on various activities of their respective forces and sought his guidance and cooperation as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in discharging their responsibilities. The President expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Armed Forces and said the incumbent government is working to develop the Armed Forces into a modern four-dimensional force.

The President assured the chiefs of the three armed forces that all-out cooperation would be extended for the overall development of the Armed Forces alongside enhancing their professional skills.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: Bangladeshis waiting for family-based green cards in the United States have received a major boost. The U.S. Department of State’s August 2026 Visa Bulletin shows significant movement in the F2A family-sponsored category, which covers spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. lawful permanent residents, or green card holders.

According to the August Visa Bulletin, the F2A Final Action Date advanced from January 1, 2025, to July 22, 2026 for countries in the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” category. Bangladesh falls under this group.

The dramatic movement is particularly significant for Bangladeshis who have been waiting for their family-based immigrant visas or green cards through a spouse or parent who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than the applicable cutoff date may become eligible for immigrant visa issuance or adjustment of status, depending on their individual circumstances and the applicable U.S. immigration process. However, reaching the cutoff date does not automatically guarantee approval of a green card. Applicants must still meet all other immigration requirements.

The Visa Bulletin is used by the U.S. government to determine when immigrant visa numbers are available in numerically limited family-sponsored and employment-based categories. The Final Action Date indicates which applicants may be eligible for final visa issuance based on their priority dates.

The latest movement is especially significant because the F2A category had been substantially behind current dates for an extended period. The July 2026 Visa Bulletin had listed the F2A Final Action Date for the same group of countries as January 1, 2025, making the subsequent advance to July 22, 2026 a major development for eligible applicants.

Immigration experts caution, however, that visa bulletin dates can change from month to month. Dates can move forward, remain unchanged or, in some circumstances, move backward depending on demand and the availability of immigrant visa numbers.

The development does not mean that every family-based green card applicant will benefit equally. The F2A category is specifically for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents. Other family-sponsored categories—including F1, F2B, F3 and F4—have different cutoff dates and may experience different levels of movement.

For Bangladeshis with pending family-based immigration cases, immigration officials and attorneys generally advise applicants to check their priority dates, visa category and the latest Visa Bulletin carefully before taking any action.

The significant F2A advancement could bring relief to many families who have been separated while waiting for their immigration cases to become current. For eligible applicants whose priority dates fall before the new cutoff date, the development could represent an important step forward in their path toward permanent residence in the United States.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The Donald Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourist visas of up to 200,000 people who have applied for asylum in the United States or are seeking asylum, according to the Associated Press (AP), citing U.S. officials. If implemented, the move could become one of the largest visa-revocation initiatives in U.S. history.

According to the report, foreign nationals who entered the United States on B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas and subsequently applied for asylum are being considered for visa reviews. Officials said as many as 200,000 visa holders could initially fall under the initiative. However, the figure is not final and could change depending on the ongoing review.

The U.S. State Department said the visa-revocation process will be carried out gradually and on a rolling basis. This means the visas will not all be revoked at once. Decisions on individual visa revocations will be based on the circumstances of each person and the government’s review.

According to the report, the Trump administration’s initiative is aimed at reviewing the visas of people who entered the United States on tourist or business visas and later sought asylum. The administration has emphasized strengthening immigration controls and preventing the misuse of visa programs.

Immigration rights advocates, however, have expressed concern about the initiative. They fear that broadly revoking the visas of people who entered the United States on tourist or business visas and subsequently sought asylum could create uncertainty for individuals with legitimate asylum claims.

The move comes as the Trump administration continues to take a tougher approach to U.S. immigration policy, including increased scrutiny and revocation of visas. The administration has also previously expanded travel and immigration restrictions affecting citizens of various countries.

Officials emphasized that 200,000 is a potential maximum estimate, not a final number. The actual number of visas that will be revoked will become clearer after the government completes its review.

If implemented, the initiative could have a significant impact on the U.S. immigration and visa system. It would represent a major change for foreign nationals who entered the country on tourist or business visas and later sought asylum.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The U.S. national debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, marking an unprecedented level of government indebtedness. To ease the burden of the massive debt, President Donald Trump’s administration is placing greater emphasis on rapid economic growth. Economists and financial-market analysts, however, are questioning whether economic growth alone can realistically reduce such a huge debt burden.

According to data from the U.S. Treasury Department, the national debt now exceeds $40 trillion. Of that amount, approximately $32.3 trillion is debt held by the public, while another $7.8 trillion is held by government accounts and trust funds.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has argued that the United States must rely on economic growth to help manage its mounting debt. The administration’s reasoning is that if the economy grows rapidly, the debt-to-GDP ratio could decline while stronger economic activity could also generate higher government revenues.

Economists, however, remain skeptical of the strategy. They argue that given the size of the current federal budget deficit, rising interest costs and structural pressures on government spending, it will be extremely difficult to resolve the debt problem through economic growth alone.

As U.S. debt continues to rise, so does the government’s cost of servicing that debt. Interest payments have become one of the largest components of federal spending. The growing interest burden could put additional pressure on funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure and other government programs in the years ahead.

The mounting debt is also affecting the U.S. bond market. Yields on long-term U.S. Treasury securities have risen, potentially increasing the government’s cost of borrowing. Market analysts say that lowering interest rates alone will not solve the problem; Washington also needs a credible long-term strategy to reduce budget deficits.

Critics of the Trump administration’s growth-focused strategy warn that if economic growth does not outpace the growth of the national debt, the debt burden could continue to increase rather than decline. A recent analysis by economists cautioned that, given the current deficit and rising interest costs, relying solely on economic growth to overcome a $40 trillion debt burden would be extremely difficult.

The milestone comes at a time when the U.S. government is simultaneously facing major decisions involving trade policy, defense spending, taxation and Social Security programs. As a result, controlling the national debt could become one of Washington’s biggest economic challenges in the years ahead.

Analysts say that in addition to promoting economic growth, the United States will need to control government spending, increase revenues and implement measures to reduce the long-term budget deficit if it hopes to slow the continued rise in national debt.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared a judicial obstacle that had blocked parts of President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to tighten restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.

In a 6–3 decision, the justices granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to suspend a lower-court injunction that had prevented the administration from moving forward with key portions of the order. The court’s three liberal justices dissented.

The ruling, however, did not determine whether Trump’s entire executive order is lawful or constitutional. Instead, the justices concluded that the states challenging the order had brought their case prematurely with respect to certain provisions. The decision leaves the door open for further legal challenges as the November election approaches.

Trump’s executive order, issued in March, directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible U.S. citizens in each state and provide those lists to state authorities before federal elections. It also directs the Justice Department to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of state and local election officials who issue federal ballots to people deemed ineligible to vote.

The order further directs the U.S. Postal Service to develop new rules governing mail-in and absentee ballots, including new envelope markings and tracking requirements. It seeks to limit the delivery of ballots to voters included on state-specific lists.

A separate nationwide injunction blocking the Postal Service from enforcing some of the new requirements remains in effect, meaning the Supreme Court’s decision does not immediately put every provision of Trump’s mail-voting plan into force.

The case was brought by 23 states and the District of Columbia, which argued that the federal government was improperly interfering with the states’ authority to administer elections. The states also warned that implementing major changes to mail voting so close to the midterm elections could disrupt election administration and potentially disenfranchise voters.

The timing of the decision is particularly significant. Military and overseas ballots for the November elections are expected to begin going out in early September, leaving election officials with limited time to adjust their systems to any new federal requirements.

Voting-rights advocates and Democratic officials have criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, warning that the administration’s proposed changes could create confusion and restrict access to mail voting. Supporters of Trump’s order argue that the measures are necessary to strengthen election integrity and ensure that only eligible voters receive federal ballots.

The legal battle is not over. Additional challenges are expected as the administration moves to implement the order and as states prepare for the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.

Orpi Ahmed: There is no need to elaborate on the contribution of expatriate Bangladeshis to the country’s economy. Remittances are one of Bangladesh’s major sources of foreign exchange. Every year, millions of Bangladeshis living abroad send substantial amounts of money to support their families, relatives and, ultimately, the country’s economy. These remittances not only help sustain the livelihoods of families back home but also play an important role in strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves and overall economy.

Recent statistics also highlight the strong flow of remittances. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country received $18.94 billion in remittances during the six months from March to August 2026, compared with $16.74 billion during the same period a year earlier. This represents a 13.1 percent increase year-on-year.

Behind this achievement are millions of Bangladeshis working abroad. Expatriates in Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Malaysia and other countries continue to send money home regularly. During the March-August period alone, Bangladesh received approximately $1.72 billion in remittances from the United States.

The question, therefore, is this: How effectively is the state providing easy, timely and dignified services to the people who are making such a significant contribution to the country?

This question has become increasingly important because expatriate Bangladeshis depend on embassies and consulates for a wide range of services, including passports, national identity cards, birth registration, consular assistance and document attestation. For someone living abroad, even a minor complication in accessing a government service can turn into a major source of inconvenience.

The government has recently announced several positive initiatives in this regard. Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman told Parliament that improving passport and national identity card services for expatriate Bangladeshis—making them faster, easier, more transparent and technology-driven—is among the government’s top priorities. At Bangladesh missions where e-passport services have been introduced, applicants can submit applications online, schedule biometric enrollment at convenient times and track the progress of their applications.

This is certainly encouraging. But the reality on the ground is even more important.

At present, NID services are available at 27 Bangladesh missions in 17 countries. The government plans to gradually expand these services to 41 countries. This means that many Bangladeshis living abroad still do not have direct and convenient access to NID-related services.

Take the United States as an example. The Bangladesh Consulate General in New York provides online applications, appointments and biometric enrollment facilities for e-passports. Procedures for applying for NID services are also available. However, while new NID applications are accepted, NID correction applications are not processed at the consulate, according to information published on its website.

This brings us to the central question: Is providing a service the same as making that service accessible and convenient? If an expatriate has to visit an embassy or consulate repeatedly for a routine document, wait for long periods, or spend months waiting for coordination with a government office in Bangladesh, then how much of the promised benefit of digital services is actually reaching the people?

Consular services for expatriate Bangladeshis should not be viewed merely as an administrative responsibility. They should be treated as a matter of citizens’ rights and a responsibility of the state. When an expatriate represents Bangladesh abroad, contributes to the national economy and regularly sends foreign currency home, the relationship between the citizen and the state should not be limited to the moment when remittances are sent. When a passport expires, an NID contains an error, a birth certificate or another document is needed, or a citizen faces a legal or administrative difficulty, receiving assistance from the state should also be regarded as a right.

Another issue deserves attention. Services for expatriates cannot remain concentrated only around major cities where diplomatic missions are located. For Bangladeshis living across a geographically vast country like the United States, mobile consular camps can be an effective solution. If such services are organized more regularly and systematically across different states, many expatriates could avoid travelling long distances to reach a consulate.

The Bangladesh Consulate in Florida, for example, has also been issuing notices regarding consular tours. At the same time, the mechanism for resolving complaints needs to become more effective. The government has said that online complaint-management systems are in place at Bangladesh missions and that officials will be assigned to ensure the timely resolution of complaints.

If these initiatives are implemented effectively, they can strengthen the relationship between the state and its expatriate citizens. But the biggest requirement is a change in mindset. Expatriates should not be viewed merely as a source of remittances. They are Bangladeshi citizens, potential investors, members of families back home and important representatives of the country abroad.

The rise in remittances is undoubtedly good news for Bangladesh. But whether the quality of services provided to expatriate Bangladeshis is improving at the same pace is now an equally important question.

If Bangladesh wants to sustain and increase the flow of remittances, it must also maintain the confidence of its expatriate citizens. Trust is built not only through financial incentives, but also through timely services, transparency, dignity and accountability. As the country expects greater contributions from its expatriate citizens, the state must also take greater responsibility for ensuring better services for them.

An expatriate’s money is an asset to the country, but an expatriate’s trust is an equally valuable national asset. Protecting that trust should now be one of the state’s greatest responsibilities.

— Columnist, Elmhurst, New York