The book traces the evolution of major events of international relations during the 19th, 20th and a part of 21st centuries. The emergence of independent states in Asia and Africa in post-colonial period and their impact on inter-state relations are wide-ranging. . The book provides insights into rivalry and power play of big powers in influencing global and regional events including some of the on-going intractable conflicts in many parts of the world. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the soil of the US and the Iraqi war by the US in 2003 US have brought about dramatic changes in international relations and international law. This book contributes to the understanding of causes of regional and international events at the beginning of the 21st century which has been often described as “Asian Century.”

The book also describes Bangladesh’s foreign policy and its contribution to establishing a world of peace, harmony and prosperity. The book argues that no state, not even a powerful one, can alone address the challenging global issues of the day. It needs to work with other states, in multilateral institutions including the UN, to effectively resolve issues, such as terrorism, migration, environment, health, poverty, hunger, disease, gender-equality and empowerment of women, organised crime and drug trafficking.

The book is useful for students, teachers, lawyers and foreign policy experts.

Harun ur Rashid
Barrister-at-Law (b. 1934) served as Ambassador of Bangladesh for twelve years in different countries with a further seven countries as concurrent accreditations. He had retired as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Europe in Geneva with concurrent accreditation to the UN Office in Vienna, UNIDO, and IAEA.

He was Additional Foreign Secretary in mid 80s and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 70s. He spent a year as a Fellow to the UN, New York and the World Court at The Hague in 1969. He taught law in the Dhaka University and the Central Law College, Dhaka in the early 60s.

After retirement, he has addressed seminars in many universities and think-tanks around the world. He has been a prolific writer on issues of regional and international affairs and contributes regularly as a columnist to the newspapers and magazines in the country and abroad.. His published books include Bangladesh Foreign Policy (Third revised edition 2015,) , Current Affairs (2013),), , Peace and Conflict Studies (2012 ) Indo-Bangladesh Relations,(2010), International Law (2004) and Refugee Law (2002).