Dutch politics
Prime Minister Rob Jetten will not join Sunday’s major Red Line demonstration against Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite taking part in a similar protest when he was opposition leader. The change illustrates more than Jetten’s new role: eight months into his government, The Hague is signalling that
Middle East
Poor conditions and trauma among Yazidis living in displacement camps in Iraq are not in themselves sufficient grounds for asylum in the Netherlands, according to Dutch Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink. Despite pressure from parliament and thousands of petitioners, he is sticking to the current policy, at least until
United States & Canada
The Netherlands has only weeks to find a way to keep international payments flowing for the International Criminal Court in The Hague after new US sanctions put its banking arrangements at risk. Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen says finding a solution is “challenging”, with the measures due to take effect in
NATO & Defence
The Netherlands is setting up its own version of the US defence innovation agency DARPA, with hundreds of millions of euros a year to accelerate military technology and reduce Dutch dependence on foreign suppliers. Its first test is particularly urgent: finding new ways to protect critical infrastructure in the North
Dutch politics
The leaders of the three coalition parties will separately negotiate with opposition parties in a last-ditch attempt to secure support for the Dutch government’s tax package, as confusion over the strategy of Prime Minister Rob Jetten’s minority government continues to grow in The Hague. Exclusive reporting and
United States & Canada
Dutch progressive politicians have reacted with open delight to the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, portraying the result as a rejection of Donald Trump and an opportunity to rebuild the transatlantic relationship. But the response in The Hague also reveals how politically charged relations with Washington have
Europe & EU
The Dutch government has formally entered one of Europe’s most consequential appointment battles, putting former central bank governor Klaas Knot forward to succeed Christine Lagarde as president of the European Central Bank. But the decision will be about considerably more than monetary policy credentials. Exclusive reporting and analysis from
NATO & Defence
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are stepping up their defence cooperation amid growing concern over Russian hybrid threats and uncertainty over Europe’s long-term security architecture. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.50 Start reading
Middle East
The Netherlands says international pressure on Israel has so far failed to produce the “desired behavioural change”, as D66 MPs Hanneke van der Werf and Mpanzu Bamenga push the government to take tougher steps over the continuing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. The government still backs EU measures targeting
Africa
The Netherlands risks losing valuable contacts, knowledge and international influence if it responds to financial pressure by repeatedly closing and reopening embassies, according to a new advisory report published in The Hague. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.50 Start reading
Middle East
The Dutch embassy in Cairo has reopened to the public after protests forced it to close temporarily on 22 October. The unrest followed a significant expansion of the Dutch investigation into Egyptian national Ahmed Nasser, a case that has become an increasingly sensitive issue between The Hague and Cairo. Exclusive
Ukraine
Dutch forces will take part in a major multinational military exercise in Poland next week, as European allies move their preparations for a possible post-ceasefire mission in Ukraine into a more operational phase. The Hague calls the exercise an “important step”, but documents sent to parliament underline a politically