United States & Canada
The Netherlands has only weeks to find a way to keep international payments flowing for the International Criminal Court in The Hague after new US sanctions put its banking arrangements at risk. Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen says finding a solution is “challenging”, with the measures due to take effect in
NATO & Defence
The Netherlands is setting up its own version of the US defence innovation agency DARPA, with hundreds of millions of euros a year to accelerate military technology and reduce Dutch dependence on foreign suppliers. Its first test is particularly urgent: finding new ways to protect critical infrastructure in the North
Dutch politics
The leaders of the three coalition parties will separately negotiate with opposition parties in a last-ditch attempt to secure support for the Dutch government’s tax package, as confusion over the strategy of Prime Minister Rob Jetten’s minority government continues to grow in The Hague. Exclusive reporting and
The Netherlands has paid out nearly €30 million after insuring loans for a Sri Lankan hospital project now at the centre of a major Dutch corruption investigation, raising fresh questions about the risks The Hague takes when backing exports abroad. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.
United States & Canada
Dutch progressive politicians have reacted with open delight to the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, portraying the result as a rejection of Donald Trump and an opportunity to rebuild the transatlantic relationship. But the response in The Hague also reveals how politically charged relations with Washington have
Europe & EU
The Dutch government has formally entered one of Europe’s most consequential appointment battles, putting former central bank governor Klaas Knot forward to succeed Christine Lagarde as president of the European Central Bank. But the decision will be about considerably more than monetary policy credentials. Exclusive reporting and analysis from
NATO & Defence
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are stepping up their defence cooperation amid growing concern over Russian hybrid threats and uncertainty over Europe’s long-term security architecture. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.50 Start reading
Middle East
The Netherlands says international pressure on Israel has so far failed to produce the “desired behavioural change”, as D66 MPs Hanneke van der Werf and Mpanzu Bamenga push the government to take tougher steps over the continuing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. The government still backs EU measures targeting
Africa
The Netherlands risks losing valuable contacts, knowledge and international influence if it responds to financial pressure by repeatedly closing and reopening embassies, according to a new advisory report published in The Hague. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.50 Start reading
Middle East
The Dutch embassy in Cairo has reopened to the public after protests forced it to close temporarily on 22 October. The unrest followed a significant expansion of the Dutch investigation into Egyptian national Ahmed Nasser, a case that has become an increasingly sensitive issue between The Hague and Cairo. Exclusive
Ukraine
Dutch forces will take part in a major multinational military exercise in Poland next week, as European allies move their preparations for a possible post-ceasefire mission in Ukraine into a more operational phase. The Hague calls the exercise an “important step”, but documents sent to parliament underline a politically
Dutch politics
The Dutch minority government is making another high-risk attempt to secure a parliamentary majority, rewriting parts of next year’s tax package in the hope of winning support from both the left and the right. But with a crucial debate this Wednesday, Prime Minister Rob Jetten is still pursuing