King of RasMalé’ Stays on Top as Competition Unfolds
The other day, a friend called to ask whether President Muizzu was actually winning the narrative on RasMalé. My initial reaction was to wonder: is there anyone out there even trying to
The Twilight of the Philosopher-Politician: Demagogy in the Age of Algorithms
WASHINGTON — He stands at the podium, bathed in the harsh white glow of television floodlights, but his true North Star rests flat on the acrylic surface before him. It is a
The Cost of Reckless Rhetoric: Why the Maldivian Political Class Must Respect the Sovereign Red Line
When Real Madrid’s star forward Kylian Mbappé made light of viral artificial intelligence memes merging his face with that of China’s founding leader, Mao Zedong, he likely thought he was merely sharing
Evaluating the Maldives’ Economic Calculus in Pakistan
For decades, foreign policy in the Indian Ocean Region was widely analysed through a binary framework, wherein small island nations were viewed as either aligning with a dominant regional power or maintaining
Maldives Rules Out Foreign Oversight of Its Waters as Nasheed Urges Closer Ties With India
The government’s statement on Wednesday did not mention India, China or any individual. It did not need to. By declaring an “absolute policy” against letting any foreign party conduct maritime security “directly
A Constitutional Collision: The Hidden Dangers of Muizzu’s Chagos Claims
For decades, the Republic of Maldives has projected itself onto the global stage as a homogeneous, strictly governed Islamic republic, anchored by a constitution that explicitly ties citizenship to the faith. But
Editorial: Close Call at Sea Shows Why Marine Safety Rules Need Real Teeth
All 18 people aboard a speedboat carrying tourists and local guides barely escaped with their lives on Tuesday evening after the boat swamped and sank near Thamburudhoo lagoon. The Dhiffushi-based launch was
Is Nasheed Irreligious, or Just a Liberal Muslim in a Society That Has Conflated the Two?
The label follows him everywhere. Laadheenee. Irreligious. Secular. In the Maldives, where politics and Islam are inseparable, it has become the most potent weapon in the arsenal of Nasheed’s opponents, applied liberally
8,000 Children Skipped School for the World Cup. The Real Question Is Why?
The Education Minister made headlines this week by revealing that more than 8,000 students have been absent from school since the World Cup began, with 40 percent of those absences concentrated in
Minister Muththalib Says Real Estate Is Key to Economic Diversification in New Op-Ed
Dr Abdulla Muththalib, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, has published an op-ed arguing that real estate development is central to building a more diversified and resilient Maldivian economy. He said
Steel Hardware showcases new power tools and marine grade solutions at Build Expo 2026
On the second day of the Maldives Build Expo 2026, Steel Hardware is drawing strong attention with a broadened portfolio that reflects the changing needs of the country’s construction, resort and marine
A Diplomatic Reading of China’s Governance Model Through Maldivian Democratic Realities
Ambassador Kong Xianhua’s contribution to the Maldivian media landscape is a welcome gesture of engagement. It offers Maldivian readers a window into how China articulates and understands its own governance model. The
Maldives’ Fiscal Achievement Draws Positive Attention Across International Media
International coverage of the Maldives shifted this week after the government confirmed on 2 April that it had fully settled the USD 500 million Sukuk issued in 2021, along with the final