Dutch politics
The Dutch government wants the Netherlands to remain a global quantum frontrunner, but the new national strategy makes clear that The Hague is no longer looking at quantum technology primarily through the lens of innovation and economic growth. Faced with rising geopolitical competition, cyber threats and concerns over strategic dependencies,
Middle East
The Dutch government is stepping up its humanitarian contribution as severe funding shortages force the UN’s World Food Programme to scale back food assistance in Gaza. The additional money comes alongside unusually blunt criticism from The Hague of the obstacles facing aid organisations, with the government acknowledging that its
Dutch politics
The Netherlands risks losing credibility and influence in a rapidly changing world unless it fundamentally rethinks the way it approaches international development cooperation, according to a new government advisory report. The advice, to be presented to Foreign Trade and Development Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, argues that traditional aid relationships are no
Middle East
More than 230 former Dutch ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and senior civil servants have urged the government to take stronger action against Israel. Now, the Dutch cabinet has responded, signalling that it shares many of their concerns and highlighting a series of measures already taken, while avoiding any commitment to adopt
Africa
The Dutch government is continuing to push for additional sanctions against those sustaining Sudan's civil war, but is unwilling to suspend EU trade negotiations with the United Arab Emirates despite fresh allegations about foreign support networks linked to the conflict. The position highlights the delicate balance The Hague
United States & Canada
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has responded cautiously to claims that the Netherlands' military intelligence service monitored the mobile phone of Jared Kushner, after a new book alleged that Dutch intelligence gained access to information from the device with the help of a Russian hacker. Exclusive reporting and analysis
Middle East
The Dutch embassy in Cairo has been closed to the public until further notice after facing nine consecutive days of protests linked to the arrest in the Netherlands of Ahmed Nasser, a prominent representative of Egyptians living abroad. The unusually persistent demonstrations have raised questions in The Hague about the
Dutch politics
The International Criminal Court has received yet another powerful display of international support. After a Nobel Peace Prize linked to former ICC judge Navi Pillay and a symbolic reception by King Willem-Alexander, the Hague-based court has now been awarded the European Parliament's 2026 Sakharov Prize for
Middle East
The Netherlands is maintaining pressure on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his latest remarks on Gaza, but Dutch ministers admit there is still too little support in the EU for sanctions. Newly published parliamentary answers offer a glimpse into how The Hague is trying to combine criticism
Europe & EU
The Dutch government is backing a more overtly strategic use of European development policy, arguing that Brussels should be transparent about its own interests when building partnerships around the world. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.50 Start reading
Middle East
The Netherlands will contribute €15 million to the reconstruction of Syria before the end of this year, marking one of the first concrete financial commitments to a new World Bank-backed recovery fund. The move signals a further shift in Dutch policy from humanitarian relief towards longer-term stabilisation, while
Middle East
The Dutch government and a broad majority in parliament are voicing outrage over public expressions of support for Hamas in the Netherlands. Yet despite growing political pressure, critics argue that the cabinet's proposed law criminalising the glorification of terrorism risks becoming more of a political signal than a