Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

The protests that engulfed Bangladesh last month, that resulted in the removal of the Sheikh Hasina Government, were led by students and sparked by the reintroduction of a quota system for the civil service. 

But what were they really about and how were the connected to the Bangladeshi War of Independence from 1971. The second part of our deep dive into Bangladesh history and politics.

In 1971 a conflict marred by atrocities and war crimes led to the creation of the state of Bangladesh.

After 40 years of inaction the government of Bangladesh established the International Crimes Tribunal to bring those who committed war crimes to justice. This month the war crimes court sentenced a senior Islamic party politician, Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, to death for masterminding the slaughter of at least 120 farmers in one of the bloodiest single episodes of the 1971 independence war. In a ruling likely to further fuel tensions between the secular government and religious hardliners, the special tribunal found Mohammad Kamaruzzaman guilty of mass killing, torture, abduction and crimes against humanity. But is the tribunal really looking for justice and are all those who committed crimes being tried?

Australians have always loved to gamble but sports betting apps are making it more accessible to more of us.We look at the history of online sports gambling in Australia and its social impact.

This week at the Democratic Convention in Chicago - Kamala Harris will become the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. But what do you know about her family, her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha or her time as a prosecutor and the Attorney general of California.

The assassination attempt on Trump was a shocking mission failure for the Secret Service.  From JFK to Reagan, we examine what the agency’s history and response to past failures.

The Philippines is refusing to concede a small reef inside their territorial waters.What does it reveal about China's ambitions and the broader security dilemma in the South China?

The selection of a new justice to the United States Supreme Court is frequently controversial and almost always political. It’s a 'captain's pick' for the US president and one that can shape American society long after the president’s gone.

US Presidents don’t give up power easily, only twice before has a sitting Democratic President decided not to stand for a second term. This week we explore the eerie parallels between President Lyndon Johnson who pulled out of the 1968 Presidential race and President Joe Biden who has just stepped aside from the 2024 race. 

While America was founded on lofty ideas – like democracy, equality and freedom – it’s was also shaped and continues to be shaped by political violence. The history of political violence in America from the time of slavery through to the assassination attempt on Donald trump.

The country's position as a democracy next to China and North Korea is critical.We examine South Korea's role on the global stage and how the society is changing.