Publication

This commentary discusses the relatively high number of Maldivians fighting for terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq and the factors involved in the radicalization of individuals in the Maldives. The author also looks at the counterterrorism measures taken in the Maldives to deal with extremism in the country, identifies what more the country can do to tackle the problem, and argues that the geographical scale of the Maldives - a 1,200-island archipelago scattered across about 90,000 square km – necessitates a regional response that addresses the country’s counter-extremism needs and socioeconomic issues. Finally, the author addresses the call from some in the international community to boycott the Maldives’ tourist industry and considers how doing this could increase radicalization in the country.