Working Worldwide for the Security of the Netherlands The Netherlands is doing well. The economy is growing and our prosperity is on the increase. It should be noted however that the situation is less bright in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, due partly to the damage caused by hurricanes in 2017. The long-term trends in digitalisation, world trade and technological development present considerable opportunities for a country like the Netherlands, with its wide-ranging international ties. Yet the Scientific Council on Government Policy (WRR) concludes that the security situation in the Netherlands has deteriorated.4 The trends that affect the Netherlands, the Kingdom and the world entail serious risks to our security. That calls for an anticipatory and preventive international security policy for both the long and the medium term. " The security environment of the Netherlands has deteriorated." WRR advisory report Veiligheid in een wereld van verbindingen (‘Security in an Interconnected World’), May 2017 2. Context & trends Below we examine the main trends that currently define our international security situation. 2.1 Multi-order world In various international policy arenas, the role of the US as a leader is changing, while other traditional major powers like Russia and China are becoming more assertive. In addition, new major regional powers are emerging and exerting influence worldwide. Nationalism is on the rise in a globalised world, multiplying pressure on geopolitical relations and creating growing unpredictability. This multi-order world is manifest in various dimensions.5 Ideologically, there are renewed tensions between East and West. At the same time, there is a clash within civilisations, where conservative and progressive forces are becoming more polarised and autocracy and democracy are competing for ascendancy. The liberal world order has to defend itself against those who think in terms of spheres of influence, and the societal, socioeconomic and geographical dividing lines between highly educated and less-educated groups are becoming increasingly marked. This has an impact on national and regional stability in many parts of the world. 4. WRR advisory report Veiligheid in een wereld van verbindingen (‘Security in an Interconnected World’), May 2017. 5. Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’, Strategic Monitor 2017. | 13 |