Broken-Bangladesh

Quiz: Name a majority-Muslim Asian country, ruled by a military-backed government that has promised to hold national elections this year.

Today marks a year of military rule for Bangladesh. The head of government, Fakhruddin Ahmed, pledged last January "to hand over power to an elected government within the shortest possible time."

There are signs the government means what it says. But there is more to do.

The military government's treatment of the leaders of the two main political parties, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, hasn't engendered trust.

Mr. Ahmed would prove his sincerity by moving quickly to allow the courts to hold transparent, fair trials of those who stand accused.

He'll also have to convince the military to drop nascent-plans to entrench itself in government.

Bangladesh, a nation of 144 million people, is one of the world's poorest countries. It is also home to a growing Islamic fundamentalist movement.

Via WSJ