China
The Dutch government is standing by its controversial purchase of two Chinese-assembled 3D metal printers for defence research, but newly published parliamentary answers reveal a broader shift in policy: future procurement decisions will face stricter scrutiny over strategic dependencies, supply chains and the origin of critical components. In response
Ukraine
Ukraine wants the Netherlands to release €2 billion in support sooner than planned as Russian attacks intensify ahead of winter. But Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said that The Hague is not preparing to bring forward the money, despite a direct appeal from Kyiv's ambassador. Instead, the Dutch
Europe & EU
The European Union is exploring an unprecedented new form of partnership with Canada, and the proposal is already receiving a positive response in The Hague. As Brussels considers making Canada the EU’s first-ever “associate member”, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten sees opportunities for closer cooperation on security, trade
Europe & EU
Dutch political parties have reacted in different ways to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for a new European Security Council, exposing a broader debate in The Hague about the future balance between European defence cooperation and NATO. While supporters see the initiative as a necessary response
NATO & Defence
The Dutch defence budget will rise to a record €28.9 billion in 2027, reflecting a dramatic expansion of the armed forces driven by NATO targets, the war in Ukraine and growing concerns about European security. Yet behind the surge in spending, the military continues to struggle with one of
Middle East
The Netherlands and Jordan have taken a significant step in their security relationship by signing a new long-term defence cooperation treaty that replaces a temporary arrangement dating back to the anti-ISIS campaign. But what exactly does the agreement allow, and why is The Hague moving now to formalise
NATO & Defence
The Netherlands is set to acquire a military capability it has never had before: its own airborne surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. The purchase, announced alongside a far-reaching cooperation agreement with Sweden, promises to give Dutch forces greater freedom to monitor threats ranging from drones and cruise missiles to suspicious
United States & Canada
As Washington presses ahead with sanctions against the International Criminal Court, the Dutch government is using the UN General Assembly to rally support for one of the institutions at the heart of The Hague's international identity. But officials in The Hague privately recognise that building a coalition of
NATO & Defence
The Dutch cabinet’s push to give intelligence services broader powers to counter espionage, cyber threats and foreign interference appears to enjoy wide political backing in The Hague. But as the proposed overhaul of intelligence law enters public consultation, two key oversight bodies are issuing an unusually stark warning: the
NATO & Defence
The Dutch government is injecting another €250 million into Ukraine's drone war effort and supplying additional ammunition for Kyiv's F-16 fleet, underscoring The Hague's view that sustained military support remains essential as Russia intensifies aerial attacks. But the new money comes with a
Middle East
The Dutch government has defended the Ministry of Defence's most senior civil servant, Maarten Schurink, after right-wing and pro-Israel MP Gidi Markuszower and his colleagues questioned whether his leadership role at a cultural institution boycotting Israeli organisations is compatible with his position at the heart of
Europe & EU
At a time when Europe is grappling with a more assertive Russia, growing pressure on critical infrastructure and mounting economic uncertainty, the Netherlands and Norway are drawing closer together. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre signed a new strategic partnership that goes beyond symbolic