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 dossiers shaping The Hague, Brussels and beyond. Today: Dilan Yeşilgöz, Defence Minister, VVD leader, Deputy Prime Minister — and one of the most influential figures in Dutch
United States & Canada
The NATO summit in Ankara was meant to prove that the Alliance remains united as Europe takes on greater military responsibilities and Washington pushes for a gradual transfer of burdens. According to the Dutch government, that objective was achieved. Behind the optimistic rhetoric, however, lies a much larger question: can
Caribbean & Latin America
Was a Curaçao-flagged vessel really involved in a US military operation near the Strait of Hormuz? Authorities in Willemstad are pushing back against reports linking the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the incident, saying the ship in question was not lawfully registered under the Curaçao
United States & Canada
A new offensive from Washington against the International Criminal Court is triggering growing alarm in both The Hague and Brussels. As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accuses the ICC and its supporters of waging a “war” against America, Dutch and European officials are responding with increasingly sharp language of
Ukraine
As Russia intensifies its ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, Kyiv and nine European allies have agreed to take a major new step in defence cooperation: jointly developing a future missile shield capable of countering some of Moscow's fastest and most difficult-to-intercept weapons. The decision, announced
Russia
The Netherlands has summoned the Russian ambassador following what Dutch authorities describe as a series of cyberattacks linked to Russia, including the hacking of private surveillance cameras positioned along routes used for the transportation of military goods.
Ukraine
Could Monday's gathering of more than 30 Ukraine-supporting countries mark the next step? Will allied nations move beyond political declarations and begin preparing joint military exercises? And what does this mean for Ukraine as hopes for a ceasefire remain distant? Those are some of the questions hanging
Russia
Dutch intelligence services have now revealed that Russian state-backed hackers managed to compromise a number of internet-connected cameras in the Netherlands, including devices positioned along military logistics routes used to transport equipment and weapons. The answers offer a rare glimpse into a covert surveillance campaign stretching across NATO
Russia
How far is the Netherlands prepared to go against vessels suspected of helping Moscow evade sanctions? What specific powers will Dutch authorities gain? Which ministries will be responsible for enforcement? Subscribers can read the full political and security implications here.
Dutch politics
How dependent is the Netherlands on the raw materials needed to build warships, drones and batteries? And what happens if those supplies suddenly disappear — because of Chinese export controls or the closure of the Strait of Hormuz? The Dutch government is sounding the alarm over growing geopolitical pressures on critical
NATO & Defense
Before NATO leaders gathered behind closed doors in Ankara, the mood among diplomats was tense. Donald Trump had publicly attacked allies, questioned the Alliance's value, criticised Spain, and once again stirred controversy with remarks about Greenland. Senior officials privately admitted the summit would largely be about one thing:
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