Maldives will manage militancy and virus risks

Significance

The attempted assassination involved a remote-controlled device, signalling new capabilities among local militant groups. Separately, the Maldives has recently had a sharp rise in its COVID-19 outbreak, although daily new cases are now on a broadly downward trajectory. The country reopened its economically vital tourism industry in July 2020 following a pandemic-related shutdown.

Impacts

• Recently imposed restrictions on inbound travel from other South Asian countries may cause tourism arrivals to fall this month.
• Islamist groups will focus on state targets in any further attacks that they plan.
• The ruling party, of which Nasheed is the president, will struggle to accelerate the reform agenda that it champions.