NATO & Defence
The Dutch defence budget will rise to a record €28.9 billion in 2027, reflecting a dramatic expansion of the armed forces driven by NATO targets, the war in Ukraine and growing concerns about European security. Yet behind the surge in spending, the military continues to struggle with one of
Dutch politics
The first Prinsjesdag of Prime Minister Rob Jetten's minority government was marked by repeated appeals for compromise and cooperation. But as King Willem-Alexander delivered the longest King's Speech in more than two decades, opposition leaders from both the left and the right responded with the
Dutch politics
A coordinated wave of suspected sabotage has disrupted railway traffic across large parts of the Netherlands on Prinsjesdag, prompting an investigation involving police, prosecutors and intelligence services. While officials are urging caution until the facts are established, the scale and timing of the incidents are already fuelling speculation in The
Dutch politics
Belgian and Luxembourg foreign ministers Maxime Prévot and Xavier Bettel will attend Prinsjesdag in The Hague on Tuesday, marking a first for the annual opening of the Dutch parliamentary year. The unusual invitation is being presented as a sign of renewed political ambition within the Benelux — although there is also
Dutch politics
The route of the 'Glazen Koets' is fixed, the 'Troonrede' has been written and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen's budget briefcase is ready. Yet as The Hague prepares for Prinsjesdag 2026, the most important question remains unanswered: who will actually support the minority government'
Middle East
The Netherlands and Jordan have taken a significant step in their security relationship by signing a new long-term defence cooperation treaty that replaces a temporary arrangement dating back to the anti-ISIS campaign. But what exactly does the agreement allow, and why is The Hague moving now to formalise
Asia & Australia
As international attention shifts elsewhere and donor funding for Afghanistan comes under mounting pressure, the Dutch government is quietly stepping up its engagement. New parliamentary documents show that the Netherlands will become the largest contributor to a key UN humanitarian fund for Afghanistan this year, even as The Hague insists
Russia
The Dutch government has reaffirmed its opposition to the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags, following parliamentary questions from D66 MPs Renilde Huizenga and Hanneke van der Werf about the International Olympic Committee's decision to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee under
Middle East
The Dutch government has acknowledged that at least hundreds of Dutch passport holders are serving in the Israeli military, but are any criminal investigations underway into the possible involvement of Dutch nationals in alleged war crimes in Gaza? The issue is politically sensitive in The Hague, raising questions about accountability,
Caribbean & Latin America
Dutch MPs Suzanne Kröger (PRO) and Mpanzu Bamenga (D66) are urging the government to clarify its stance on Argentina after an Amnesty International report alleged a sharp expansion of surveillance powers under President Javier Milei. In a new set of parliamentary questions, lawmakers link concerns over civil liberties and mass
The Netherlands and Spain are pushing for an EU-wide minimum age for social media, submitting a joint proposal to Brussels just days before European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to unveil new plans to protect children online. Yet despite growing support for tougher rules across Europe,
Europe & EU
A Dutch court ruling on a single Russian asylum seeker has triggered an unusually broad political backlash in The Hague and raised questions about the European migration and asylum pact. If asylum seekers still cannot be returned to Italy despite new European agreements and assurances from Rome, what does that