How Russia's threat and NATO's demands are reshaping the Dutch military: civilians can no longer count on Defence support in wartime

Can local authorities still rely on the Dutch armed forces when a major crisis strikes? What happens to bomb disposal units, military medical teams and security operations if the Netherlands is drawn into a conflict? And how far is The Hague willing to go in prioritising national and NATO defence over long-standing civilian support commitments? Those questions are becoming increasingly urgent as Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz warns that the military can no longer guarantee the same level of assistance to civilian authorities if tensions in Europe continue to rise. In a letter to parliament, she announces a review of nearly two-decade-old agreements governing civil-military cooperation, reflecting what officials describe as a fundamental shift in the role of the Dutch armed forces. Read on for the full story and our analysis.