Understanding Bangladesh's security governance through peacekeeping assemblage: does contribution matter?

This article examines how international peacekeeping experiences influence the security governance of contributing states from the global South, using Bangladesh as a critical case study. It argues that Bangladesh's long-standing participation in United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSOs) has transformed its national security outlook by fostering institutional modernization, norm adoption (including the Women, Peace and Security agenda), capacity-building, and expanded security partnerships. The study employs the concept of "assemblage" to analyze the complex interactions among multiple actors, norms, and practices that shape Bangladesh's security governance beyond traditional state-centric frameworks. While peacekeeping has enhanced Bangladesh's armed forces' professionalism and global reputation, challenges remain regarding democratic governance and the security sector's domestic political role.