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
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
Africa
The Dutch government has reversed plans to close its embassy in South Sudan and its consulate-general in Antwerp, marking a significant retreat from earlier cuts to the diplomatic network. Yet the reprieve comes with a catch: five other diplomatic posts will still shut their doors as The Hague reshapes
Africa
The Dutch government is expanding its response to Sudan's war, pledging additional funding for refugees in Chad and humanitarian aid while arguing that instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region is increasingly relevant to Europe. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month
Africa
Diplomatic tensions between the Netherlands and Sierra Leone have escalated after Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel publicly renewed pressure on Freetown to hand over convicted drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, better known as “Bolle Jos”. What was intended as a push to accelerate years of stalled cooperation has instead triggered
United States & Canada
As Washington presses ahead with sanctions against the International Criminal Court, the Dutch government is using the UN General Assembly to rally support for one of the institutions at the heart of The Hague's international identity. But officials in The Hague privately recognise that building a coalition of
Africa
Sudan's war is deepening, millions are displaced and international mediation efforts have yet to produce a ceasefire. A recent Dutch government assessment offers a glimpse into how The Hague views the conflict, the risks it poses for Europe and the limits of Western leverage. At the same time,
NATO & Defense
The Netherlands has welcomed what it describes as a significant breakthrough in international efforts to regulate autonomous weapons systems, after 128 countries reached consensus on a document that could pave the way for future global rules on so-called “killer robots”. The agreement, reached overnight in Geneva under the framework
Africa
As the United Nations grapples with mounting geopolitical tensions, declining influence and a multi-billion-dollar funding crisis, world leaders will gather in New York this month for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The Dutch government has now unveiled its priorities, ranging from defending the international rules-
Europe & EU
Denmark says it expects to be ready by the end of 2027 to start sending rejected asylum seekers to a return centre outside the European Union. Now, together with the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Greece, it wants to secure agreements with third countries before the end of this year. But
United States & Canada
The Dutch government says it is preparing with European partners to shield the International Criminal Court (ICC) from growing American pressure, after Washington expanded sanctions against court officials and signalled it could take further measures. Behind the scenes, The Hague is working on contingency plans ranging from financial protections to
Dutch politics
The Dutch government wants to give its intelligence agencies far greater powers to act against suspected hackers, foreign intelligence services and terrorist networks, arguing that today's geopolitical and technological threats are evolving faster than existing oversight procedures can handle. But with memories of the controversial 2018 "sleepwet&