Europe & EU
The Netherlands wants to use its 2029 presidency of the Council of the European Union to present itself as a reliable and influential European player. But while the government is already preparing for tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of meetings, the political priorities that will define the presidency
China
The Dutch government is standing by its controversial purchase of two Chinese-assembled 3D metal printers for defence research, but newly published parliamentary answers reveal a broader shift in policy: future procurement decisions will face stricter scrutiny over strategic dependencies, supply chains and the origin of critical components. In response
United States & Canada
As the United States prepares what could be its most sweeping sanctions yet against the International Criminal Court (ICC), Dutch officials are not caught off guard. The Hague had already anticipated that Washington might unveil new measures around this week's United Nations General Assembly, according to sources familiar
Middle East
The Dutch government says it is deeply concerned by allegations that products originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories may have entered the European market under misleading origin labels. On 22 September, the Netherlands will introduce its own trade ban on products originating from Israeli settlements in the
United States & Canada
The Netherlands has shifted part of its gold reserves out of North America and into Europe, in an operation worth more than €10 billion. Officially, the move is about crisis preparedness and making the country's gold easier to trade in an emergency. But why did the relocation happen
Caribbean & Latin America
As world leaders gather in New York next week for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the Dutch government is preparing an broad diplomatic offensive. From artificial intelligence and cybercrime to Ukraine, maritime security and humanitarian crises, Prime Minister Rob Jetten and four cabinet ministers will take part in a
Middle East
The Dutch cabinet has decided not to resume medical evacuations of sick children from Gaza to the Netherlands, despite repeated calls from MPs and aid organisations. Instead, Development Cooperation Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma is allocating €12 million for medical treatment in Jordan, Egypt, Gaza and the West Bank. Read on for
Ukraine
Ukraine wants the Netherlands to release €2 billion in support sooner than planned as Russian attacks intensify ahead of winter. But Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said that The Hague is not preparing to bring forward the money, despite a direct appeal from Kyiv's ambassador. Instead, the Dutch
Dutch politics
After two days of intense scrutiny during the General Political Debates, one question remains unanswered: which parties will keep Prime Minister Rob Jetten's minority cabinet afloat? Despite repeated demands from both the left and the right, Jetten refused to reveal his preferred route to a parliamentary majority, leaving
The Dutch intelligence and security services AIVD and MIVD are rapidly expanding their use of artificial intelligence, from analysing vast datasets to summarising texts and mapping networks. But a new watchdog report raises a striking concern: the technology is spreading faster than the safeguards meant to control it, leaving authorities
Europe & EU
As concerns grow over security risks posed by artificial intelligence, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten wants a coalition of European countries to move faster on setting international rules. Next week, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the Netherlands plans talks with like-minded partners on stricter AI
Middle East
A decision to cancel the final of a European student debating championship because Israeli universities were due to participate has reignited a political and cultural controversy in the Netherlands. But despite pressure from multiple far-right parties in parliament, Education Minister Rianne Letschert (D66) has carefully avoided condemning either the