Bangladesh First, 25 March 2025

Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, deputy commander of the United States Army Pacific Command, arrived in Dhaka on Monday night (24 March) for a two-day visit.

During his stay, he is scheduled to hold meetings with senior officials of the Bangladesh Army.

Geopolitical analysts believe that this visit, coming just ahead of the chief adviser’s planned trip to China, is not merely a routine diplomatic engagement but a calculated strategic move.

Observers suggest that one of the key issues on the agenda could be the strengthening of Bangladesh’s border security with Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

With the Arakan Army poised to launch a major offensive against the military junta, reports indicate that they are preparing to seize the remaining three key cities—Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Munaung—where junta forces are putting up resistance.

Against this backdrop, Lieutenant General Vowell’s discussions with Bangladeshi military leaders are expected to touch upon regional stability, security cooperation, and the implications of Myanmar’s unfolding conflict for Bangladesh.