NATO & Defense
For most ministers attending the NATO Summit in Ankara, the visit is a matter of diplomacy and defence policy. For Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz, it is also deeply personal. Born in Ankara and fled Turkey as a child because of her family's political background, Yeşilgöz has returned
Middle East
Supporters hailed him as Iran’s future. Critics accused him of speaking for a community he does not represent. Inside and outside the Dutch parliament, Reza Pahlavi’s visit to The Hague exposed deep divisions within the Iranian opposition. Who supported him? Why did members of parliament intervene? And what
Asia & Australia
Should the Netherlands continue talking to the Taliban at all? Where is the line between pragmatic migration diplomacy and legitimising one of the world's most controversial regimes? Those questions sparked a sharp debate in the Dutch House of Representatives. What exactly will Dutch policy towards the Taliban be,
Middle East
As thousands of seriously ill and injured Palestinian children remain trapped in Gaza or stranded on waiting lists in Egypt, pressure is mounting on the Dutch government to act. Parliament wants answers in a debate: will the Netherlands accept more children for life-saving treatment. Behind the scenes, coalition tensions
Middle East
Internal documents from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs concludes that the March attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran breached international law. Yet in the immediate aftermath, Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen refrained from making such a judgment publicly — despite clear warnings from his own officials.
Middle East
The war between the United States, Israel and Iran is casting a long shadow over Europe — and the Netherlands is no exception. In a new threat assessment, Dutch intelligence services point to a growing risk, particularly against Jewish and American targets, including on Dutch soil. Two well-known international terrorist
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.
Middle East
The Dutch government is preparing to take a politically sensitive step that has been debated for years: introducing national sanctions against products from Israeli settlements. But a critical opinion by the Council of State — the country’s top legislative advisory body — immediately highlights major concerns, from enforceability to democratic legitimacy.
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
Middle East
A controversial invitation from The Hague is exposing clear fault lines in Dutch politics. While right-wing and christian parties are pushing for a meeting with Reza Pahlavi, left-wing factions have voted against the move.
Middle East
Two Dutch ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Berendsen and Minister for Migration Van den Brink has travelled to Syria following earlier visits to Qatar and Lebanon, marking a cautious step in The Hague’s re-engagement with Damascus.