Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- The year 2025 drew the curtain on a tumultuous chapter in Bangladesh's history.

With Khaleda Zia's passing, the old political duopoly dissolved, leaving space for new actors -- but uncertainty filled that vacuum. From targeted assassinations to attacks on cultural and media institutions, the year's promise of transformation was haunted by violence and ideological aggression.

As 2026 approaches, the nation stands at a crossroads: can elections, reform, and unity deliver what years of upheaval could not?

Analysts, politicians, and citizens alike weigh in -- some arguing that only a free and fair election can break the impasse, while others caution that democratic transition also requires robust reforms, which remain unce...