The 'geopolitical contest' between the United States and China will only grow in intensity over the next 10 years, affecting billions around the globe, while countries like Bangladesh will face great challenges in managing all its impacts.  That is according to the renowned author, diplomat and geopolitical consultant Kishore Mahbubani, who delivered the keynote address at the latest edition of the Cosmos Dialogue at a city hotel on Sunday. “No matter where you live, no matter what you do, your lives will be affected or disrupted by this geopolitical contest. I can guarantee you,” said Mahbubani, former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore.  Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue titled “Emerging Asian Nations in Global Geopolitics: Implications for Bangladesh” as part of its Distinguished Speakers’ Series, chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury,  ex-permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, as well as advisor on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government.  The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan.  Mahbubani, an analyst with unrivalled access to policymakers in Beijing and Washington, said the world is in a difficult and complex situation, and termed the contest between the USA and China as the 'biggest since the beginning of history' - given the sheer size, scale and influence of the contestants.    As a result, Mahbubani, who served two stints as Singapore's permanent representative to the UN, including a spell as president of the Security Council between 2001 and 2002, said Bangladesh will face difficulties and challenges as it wants to have good ties with both the US and China.  He said the situation is a bit harder in South Asia due to the absence of any effective regional association like ASEAN. With SAARC proving ineffective, Mahbubani believes how India handles the fallout of the US-China contest would have bearing on Bangladesh.