Asia & Australia
The Dutch government has sharply condemned the Taliban's violent crackdown on a women's rights protest in Afghanistan, accusing the regime of violating fundamental human rights. Yet at the same time, The Hague is supporting European efforts to maintain technical contacts with the Taliban on sensitive issues,
United States & Canada
The United States views the Netherlands as its most important partner in Europe. Yet behind the warm words of US Ambassador in The Netherlands, Joe Popolo, lies a tougher message: Washington expects continued Dutch alignment on trade, technology and security, and is prepared to push back when Dutch policy moves
Europe & EU
The Dutch government has publicly thrown its weight behind Klaas Knot as a potential successor to Christine Lagarde at the helm of the European Central Bank (ECB), a move that places the former Dutch central banker firmly in the race for one of Europe's most influential economic jobs.
Middle East
The Dutch government’s most senior civil servant at the Ministry of Defence is facing political questions over an side role that has suddenly become part of the Netherlands’ increasingly polarised debate over Israel and Gaza. Right-wing opposition MPs are demanding answers about whether Maarten Schurink, the secretary-general
Middle East
The Netherlands is taking another step towards a possible international mission in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. A small multinational headquarters team is set to board the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter in the Gulf region, following a request from
Russia
Can Russian aluminium still find its way onto the European market despite existing import bans? More than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and after twenty EU sanctions packages, loopholes appear to remain. According to signals from the Dutch aluminium industry, Russian aluminium may still
Europe & EU
More than 70,000 migrants reached the Spanish exclave of Ceuta within days, exposing fresh tensions between European capitals and triggering emergency talks among EU migration ministers. While Tuesday's meeting was meant to demonstrate European unity after days of public accusations, several key questions remain unanswered. What triggered
Middle East
As the Dutch government increased pressure on Israeli settlements, Geert Wilders was shaking hands with senior Israeli leaders and touring the West Bank. The visit highlighted his enduring ties to Israel at a moment of growing diplomatic tension between The Hague and Jerusalem. Read on for the full story and
Europe & EU
The immediate crisis in Ceuta may be fading, but the political aftershocks are only beginning. As EU migration ministers gather for an digital meeting on Tuesday, the Dutch government is demanding answers about how tens of thousands of migrants managed to breach one of Europe's external borders in
Middle East
How worried is the Dutch government about alleged Hamas-linked influence in demonstrations? Why is The Hague now describing those signals as “very concerning”? Newly released parliamentary documents provide a clearer picture of how the government is responding as intelligence services report increasing insight into Hamas-linked activity in the
Summer Briefings
Every Saturday and Sunday this summer, The Hague Insider publishes a special Summer Briefing, taking a deep dive into the politicians, companies and policy issues shaping The Hague, Brussels and beyond. Today: the Dutch position in the battle over the EU's next long-term budget — a fight that
Europe & EU
A sudden migrant surge at Spain's southern frontier has triggered an coordinated response from the EU capitals. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and 21 fellow European leaders are now demanding an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers, warning that the events in Ceuta could undermine confidence in the