Europe & EU
The Dutch government has strongly criticised the United States after Washington imposed sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye. The latest round of US sanctions against senior officials of the International Criminal Court has triggered sharp reactions from The Hague, Brussels and Tokyo. But how far are
Middle East
How far should the Netherlands go in responding to one of Israel’s most controversial ministers? After Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the killing of dozens of Palestinians every day in Gaza, Dutch members of parliament from D66, CDA and PRO are not only demanding renewed action against Ben-Gvir
Dutch politics
How far is the Dutch government willing to go in defending the International Criminal Court against mounting pressure from Washington? And what do the latest measures mean for the future of the Hague-based court? Those questions are growing more urgent after the Trump administration imposed a new round of
United States & Canada
As the Trump administration reviews where US troops should remain stationed in Europe, a questionnaire sent to NATO allies is raising eyebrows across the continent. The Netherlands has now confirmed it received the survey and will respond. Officially, it is presented as part of discussions on Europe's growing
Asia & Australia
Five years after the fall of Kabul and the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan, an uncomfortable question is returning to European politics: was the Taliban supposed to remain isolated forever? If European governments insist they will never recognise the regime, why are they once again sitting around the
Europe & EU
The Dutch government is pressing Germany to reduce or rethink its controversial border controls, after new figures revealed a sharp rise in traffic accidents along key routes into Germany. But despite growing criticism from Dutch officials, border municipalities and Brussels, Berlin appears determined to maintain the checks. Why is the
NATO & Defense
Can local authorities still rely on the Dutch armed forces when a major crisis strikes? What happens to bomb disposal units, military medical teams and security operations if the Netherlands is drawn into a conflict? And how far is The Hague willing to go in prioritising national and NATO defence
Russia
The Netherlands will send dozens of marines to Greenland as part of a NATO mission aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic. Officially, the deployment is a response to growing Russian and Chinese activity in the region. Yet the move also comes after months of tensions over President Donald Trump&
Europe & EU
One week after tens of thousands of migrants stormed into Ceuta, the immediate crisis may be over, but many questions remain. How many migrants are still inside the Spanish enclave? Could some yet reach mainland Europe despite Madrid's assurances? What is the Dutch government's position, and
Middle East
Weeks after protesters tried to silence him at a Rotterdam holocaust commemoration, Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands is going public with a demand of his own. In an interview with the Reformatorisch Dagblad he wants The Hague to explicitly distance itself from a remark by former GroenLinks-PvdA-
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: Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen. Our Summer Briefings are freely accessible during the summer period. If you'
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,