Africa
It remains uncertain whether the Dutch embassy in Juba, South Sudan, will stay open. The prospect of closure has raised concerns in the Dutch House of Representatives and among humanitarian organizations due to the deteriorating situation in South Sudan. New parliamentary answers reveal that the government is, for now, sticking
United States & Canada
A new offensive from Washington against the International Criminal Court is triggering growing alarm in both The Hague and Brussels. As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accuses the ICC and its supporters of waging a “war” against America, Dutch and European officials are responding with increasingly sharp language of
Dutch politics
What happens if Washington goes beyond symbolic measures and launches a full-scale campaign against the International Criminal Court in The Hague? That question is increasingly dominating conversations behind closed doors in The Hague, according to diplomatic and legal insiders, after the Trump administration signalled it is prepared to use
Dutch politics
How dependent is the Netherlands on the raw materials needed to build warships, drones and batteries? And what happens if those supplies suddenly disappear — because of Chinese export controls or the closure of the Strait of Hormuz? The Dutch government is sounding the alarm over growing geopolitical pressures on critical
Africa
The Dutch government has drawn a firm line: all new development projects in Mali are being frozen with immediate effect. The trigger is a controversial law. What triggered this abrupt decision—and why now? And what does this mean for the already fragile relationship between Mali and European countries?
Dutch politics
The sudden suspension of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has placed The Hague in a delicate position. As international pressure mounts and the credibility of the International Criminal Court once again comes under scrutiny, member states such as the Netherlands must now decide on Khan’s future. What will happen
Africa
After spending more than €100 million on migration partnerships, the Dutch government is facing an uncomfortable conclusion: the strategy has barely delivered. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a new internal evaluation raises fundamental doubts about whether these deals can actually curb irregular migration.
Africa
The Dutch government has expressed concern over reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may be involved in deploying Colombian mercenaries in the war in Sudan, but is opting for a cautious diplomatic approach towards Abu Dhabi. This emerges from answers by Foreign Minister Berendsen and the Minister for Foreign
Africa
Behind the scenes, the Dutch government is exploring new ways to manage one of Europe’s most persistent migration challenges: what to do with rejected asylum seekers who cannot be returned. Officials are now looking beyond the EU’s borders, assessing whether so‑called “return hubs” could offer a politically
Africa
A group of European foreign ministers including those of the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom have issued a stark joint warning over the escalating violence in Sudan, calling the situation around the city of El Obeid a “critical moment” for the international community.
Middle East
New parliamentary questions have been raised in the Dutch House of Representatives over the detention of Dutch national Omar Elshal, who has reportedly been held in an Egyptian prison for eight months. MPs Teunissen (Party for the Animals) and Van Baarle (DENK) are calling on the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Europe & EU
The Dutch government wants to become significantly less dependent on the United States for its security and defence in the coming years. That is the central message of the new International Security Strategy 2026–2030, presented to parliament this week.