The Hague

Beijing criticized Manila's South China Sea territorial claims as 'unlawful' and a 'grave threat' to the post-war global order. A Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources think tank issued the report, reinforcing China's stance ahead of the 10th anniversary of a Hague ruling on the dispute.

Five NATO members are projected to meet the 3.5% GDP core defense spending goal in 2026, according to updated NATO data. The alliance previously aimed for 2% by 2035, but leaders now target 3.5% by 2035, with some members still expected to spend around 2%.

NATO allies pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP annually, with European nations and Canada adding over $1.2 trillion in defense investment since 2017. The article highlights efforts to shift defense responsibility to Europe while maintaining U.S. support, including investments in American-made equipment and industrial collaboration to counter modern threats.

The Philippine Senate is opening an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte over charges including unexplained wealth and assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The trial, set to last 92 days, occurs amid a bitter political feud between Duterte and Marcos, with over 6,000 police deployed to secure the Senate amid expected protests. A conviction could disqualify Duterte from future public office, impacting her 2028 presidential ambitions.

The Philippine Senate will open a 92-day impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over charges including unexplained wealth and publicly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s assassination. The trial, amid heightened security and political tensions, could disqualify Duterte from public office and derail her 2028 presidential ambitions. The impeachment follows allegations from the House of Representatives and reflects a fractured alliance between Duterte and Marcos.

The Netherlands will host the full operational phase of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, as announced by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The tribunal will undergo preparatory phases in The Hague before entering Phase 2, which includes investigations and prosecutions of Russia’s top political and military leaders.

ICC judges have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding U.S. sanctions. The International Criminal Court is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was suspended following a sexual misconduct investigation. His suspension is linked to disciplinary proceedings referred by the court's governing body, which also cited his role in seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over Israel's war in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was suspended pending a decision by the Assembly of States Parties on sexual misconduct allegations. A UN investigation found evidence of nonconsensual contact, but a judicial panel deemed the evidence inconclusive.

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was suspended pending a decision by the court's oversight body. He faces sexual misconduct allegations from a female aide, which he denies, and the Assembly of States Parties will hold a special session to determine his future.

The Philippine Senate reopened after a two-day impasse when a quorum was achieved, ending a standoff between factions led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and opposing senators. The dispute centers on control of the chamber amid legal issues involving two of Cayetano's allies and political tensions over legislative priorities.

International arbitrators rejected Rwanda's $134M claim against the UK over a scrapped 2022 refugee resettlement deal. The UK government defended its position, and the court ruled in its favor, with the deal canceled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer after taking office in 2024.

Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a Libyan prison official, provided a chilling account of crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 19, 2026. The testimony highlighted his role in alleged atrocities, described as 'the very embodiment of terror.'

The Philippine Office of the Solicitor General has urged the Supreme Court to reject an appeal by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the country's anti-drug campaign. The government has characterized Dela Rosa as a fugitive from justice in its legal filing.

Félicien Kabuga, a 91-year-old Rwandan genocide suspect, died in custody in The Hague while awaiting trial. He was accused of encouraging and funding the mass killing of Rwanda's Tutsi minority during the 1994 genocide. Kabuga's trial began in 2022 but was halted in 2023 due to his dementia.

A UN judge denied war criminal Ratko Mladić's request for jail release despite being in the final stages of his life. The judge cited that prison conditions in The Hague ensure his maximum comfort. Mladić is 84 years old.

Philippine Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa has barricaded himself in his Senate office to avoid arrest following an ICC warrant for alleged killings during the Philippines' drug war. The International Criminal Court has unsealed the warrant, and dela Rosa is resisting extradition to The Hague.

Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez is heading to The Hague for a land dispute case involving Guyana. This will be Rodriguez's first time leaving the Caribbean since Maduro's abduction. Rodriguez will attend an ICJ case on the dispute.

The Dutch watchdog warns that private credit is a 'canary in the coal mine.' South Holland is the most polluted province in the Netherlands for PFAS, according to the 2024 National Groundwater Quality Report. Tests near The Hague's Zuiderstrand reveal dangerously high PFAS concentrations in groundwater, exceeding European safety standards by over ten times.

NATO allies are experiencing growing disagreement over offensive cyber policy approaches. The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies examines divisions among member states regarding cyber offensive capabilities and strategies. This divergence reflects broader tensions in NATO's unified defense posture on cyber warfare.