ISAS Briefs

The Maldives is small and beautiful. Its picturesque scenic bounties lend the smallest member state of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation certain paradise-like qualities. Its people enjoy a reputation of being mild-mannered. However, despite these attributes, a combination of politics and geography is increasingly rendering the future of this tiny nation somewhat perilous. Its vulnerabilities to the vagaries of nature are well known. Much of the world is aware by now that, due to climatic changes, a slight rise in the sea level can spell disaster for the country, immersing much of its land space. However, less reported in the world is the fact that the Maldives' recent transition from authoritarian rule to democracy stands threatened if the parliamentary elections, due on 9 May 2009, throw up results that would effectively block governance.