Tristan Vanheuckelom is a Belgian journalist, a book and film reviewer for various Dutch-language publications, and a writer for The European Conservative. His other interests include history, political science, and theology.
Taiwan Strait Troubles and Ministerial Snub

Taiwan Strait Troubles and Ministerial Snub

The U.S. is named for having “made provocations first,” to which the Chinese “only responded by handling the incident in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.”

Italy Detains Two Migrant Rescue Ships

Italy Detains Two Migrant Rescue Ships

Under a new law, after each rescue, charity-run ships have to request access to the nearest port and sail to it, rather than remain at sea looking for other migrant boats in distress.

German Police on Nord Stream Saboteur’s Trail

German Police on Nord Stream Saboteur’s Trail

Despite several criminal investigations by Germany, Sweden, and Denmark underway, the identities of all those involved remain unknown.

“A Catastrophe”: Dutch PM Called Out on Immigration Policy

“A Catastrophe”: Dutch PM Called Out on Immigration Policy

A resident, from a village where neighborhood watches patrol the streets, turned to Rutte demanding: “Stand up for your citizenry, man. Take action!”

EU Joins Forces With U.S. on AI ‘Code of Conduct’

EU Joins Forces With U.S. on AI ‘Code of Conduct’

So-called content-creating ‘generative AI’, spearheaded by the popular ChatGPT, is “a complete game-changer.”

Brussels To Curtail Practice of Consultants for Its Cabinets

Brussels To Curtail Practice of Consultants for Its Cabinets

In early May, Minister for Public Enterprises Petra De Sutter (Groen) drew criticism over revelations that two individuals working in her cabinet were still in postal service Bpost’s employ.

Warsaw Seeks To Purge Russian Influence

Warsaw Seeks To Purge Russian Influence

After President Duda’s signing, a commission will be set up with the power to investigate whether Polish public servants had been unduly influenced by Moscow. Those convicted would be banned from holding public office for up to 10 years.

Kosovo on a Knife’s Edge

Kosovo on a Knife’s Edge

In northern Kosovo, ethnic tensions flared when Kosovo Serbs clashed with police and NATO peacekeepers as the former demanded the removal of recently elected Albanian mayors.

Kyiv Endures Russia’s Largest Drone Strike Yet 

Kyiv Endures Russia’s Largest Drone Strike Yet 

The strikes came on the heels of a slickly produced video, meant to rally Ukraine and its allies, which strongly hinted at an imminent Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Serbian Army on Highest Alert Following Northern Kosovo Violence

Serbian Army on Highest Alert Following Northern Kosovo Violence

“Someone needs to understand that what [Kosovo’s prime minister] Albin Kurti is doing is leading us to red lines and to a complete collapse of dialogue and an escalation on the ground,” Serbia’s defense minister warned.

Twitter Pulls Out of EU’s Anti-Disinformation Code

Twitter Pulls Out of EU’s Anti-Disinformation Code

While abiding by the Code is voluntary, the same does not apply to the EU’s new content moderation rulebook, the Digital Services Act. Regarding the latter, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton warned: “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

Hidden in Plain Sight: Syrian War Criminals in the Netherlands

Hidden in Plain Sight: Syrian War Criminals in the Netherlands

An investigation revealed that some Syrians who had fled the civil war had encountered their former torturers while living in the Netherlands.