Poland’s Rule Under PiS and the Usefulness of ‘Illiberalism’ as an Academic Concept
How does the rise of ‘illiberalism’ in Poland challenge the concept’s usefulness in political analysis?
Wilders to Trump: The Dutch and US Populist Approaches to the Ukrainian Conflict
The United States and the Netherlands, both key Western allies, have played significant roles in supporting Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. As the U.S. recalibrates its stance on Ukraine—debating military aid, economic support, and long-term strategic commitments—populist movements on both sides of the Atlantic are influencing the conversation.
Tariff Wars: A Strategic Opportunity Brewing?
With the start of a second Trump presidency, a previously thought-to-be-buried trade strategy has reemerged: a tariff-first approach back on the table of EU-US Trade relations.
The Influential Role of the Judiciary in the Democratic Process: A Delicate Balance
Do judges and courts of Western democracies represent an obstacle to popular will?
Post-COP29: The EU’s Pursuit of a Unified Digital Climate Strategy
As the climate crisis grows, digital technology drives change. After COP29, can the EU unify its digital and climate goals?
The Beginning of the End? Hungary’s Reshaped Political Landscape and Economic Crisis
The unfolding crises in Orbán’s Hungary: a crumbling economy, political scandals and the swift rise of the opposition.
From Protector to Bystander: Understanding France’s Declining Influence in Lebanon
In recent years, Lebanon has spiraled into crisis, marked by political instability, economic collapse, and regional tensions. Once a cornerstone of French influence in the Middle East, Lebanon now stands at a crossroads. How did France, the former protectorate power that shaped Lebanon’ s modern governance, become a mere observer?
Donald Trump’s First Moves as President: A Radical Shift with Global Implications
Donald Trump’s swift and decisive actions in his first days as the 47th President signal a radical shift from Biden’s legacy, reshaping America’s global standing and its relationships with key international players.
Precedent-setter or Pawn? The Chinese-Lithuanian Dispute Over Taiwan’s Representative Office
Course: China’s Ambitions in the 21st Century (University of Amsterdam)
The US has Hegemony Anxiety, why this is bad news for the EU
What does the Galactic Empire in Star Wars, House Harkonnen in Dune, and House Lannister in Game of Thrones have in common? The fear of being dethroned.
China’s Green-Technology Bid, the Western Containment Policy, and the European Green Deal
As China gambles on large-scale production and export of renewables, the West is faced with a dilemma that pits the commitment to green transition and foreign policy against each other.
Poland’s Security Priority and Its Implications for the Netherlands
Poland began its presidency of the Council of the European Union in January with inter-EU tensions in the horizon and on the verge of Donald Trump entering his second term in office but what could this presidency mean for the Dutch nation?

