For those watching from outside, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh presents a compelling story.
Over her 15 of 20 total years at the helm, Ms. Hasina has deeply entrenched her authority and divided this nation of 170 million people.
Those who kissed the ring were rewarded with patronage, power and impunity.
The sustained protests that have convulsed Bangladesh this month are a backlash against Ms. Hasina’s formula for power: absolute, disconnected and entitled.
Her bloody crackdown, which has left at least 150 people dead, has grown into the biggest challenge ever to her dominance, just months after she steamrolled to a fourth consecutive term as prime minister.
Persons:
Sheikh Hasina, Hasina, steamrolled
Locations:
Bangladesh, India, China