Ben Coates
@bencoates1.bsky.social
Author - 'THE INVENTION OF AMSTERDAM' out now! (https://amzn.to/2QJx3bh). Writer, aid worker, speechwriter, recovering Tory. Columnist @ADnl; articles NYT, Telegraph, New Statesman, Groene Amsterdammer etc. Buy my new book, it’s good!
“The unprecedented step which I hastily took which triggered a minor geopolitical crisis was obviously the right thing to do, which is why I’m reversing it”
The Dutch have handed chipmaker Nexperia back to China following a state visit.
In a statement, economic affairs minister Vincent Karremans said the move was a "show of goodwill."
In a statement, economic affairs minister Vincent Karremans said the move was a "show of goodwill."
November 19, 2025 at 9:20 AM
“The unprecedented step which I hastily took which triggered a minor geopolitical crisis was obviously the right thing to do, which is why I’m reversing it”
If you want to feel old: the new chair of Dutch parliament was born in the 1990s, and is younger than AOC
Thom van Campen (VVD) nieuwe Kamervoorzitter, met 35 jaar de jongste ooit
Thom van Campen (VVD) nieuwe Kamervoorzitter, met 35 jaar de jongste ooit
Met zijn 35 jaar is hij de jongste ooit die voorzittershamer in handen krijgt.
nos.nl
November 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you want to feel old: the new chair of Dutch parliament was born in the 1990s, and is younger than AOC
Reposted by Ben Coates
Is it milk?
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
November 18, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Is it milk?
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
Zundert, 1793
The little house on the left with the wooden fence is the place where Vincent van Gogh was born
The little house on the left with the wooden fence is the place where Vincent van Gogh was born
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Zundert, 1793
The little house on the left with the wooden fence is the place where Vincent van Gogh was born
The little house on the left with the wooden fence is the place where Vincent van Gogh was born
This morning’s Guardian
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
November 18, 2025 at 9:16 AM
This morning’s Guardian
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Is it milk?
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
November 18, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Is it milk?
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
From today the Dutch senate (Eerste Kamer) will contain NINETEEN different parties, each controlling on average fewer than four seats. Absurd.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Column | De puzzel van de negentien fracties
Op de website van D66 zegt Eerste Kamerlid Boris Dittrich: „Voor mij is de blik naar buiten heel belangrijk.” Dittrich (1955) liet als fractievoorzitter in de Tweede Kamer ooit het kabinet bijna valle...
www.nrc.nl
November 18, 2025 at 6:49 AM
From today the Dutch senate (Eerste Kamer) will contain NINETEEN different parties, each controlling on average fewer than four seats. Absurd.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Ben Coates
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Perhaps we can shave their heads and get their gold teeth too?
November 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Perhaps we can shave their heads and get their gold teeth too?
One of the biggest yet quietist trends we’re living through: the rapid death of overseas aid and diplomacy.
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
The West’s new arms race: Selling peace to buy war
Military spending is rising faster than at any time since the end of the Cold War, but the retreat from diplomacy and foreign aid will come at a price.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:48 PM
One of the biggest yet quietist trends we’re living through: the rapid death of overseas aid and diplomacy.
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
You honestly would not believe how often I get emails from people who strongly disagree with what I’ve written in my latest book and are very disappointed about it while openly admitting they haven’t read it.
Today: Why the hell does your stupid book say Amsterdam is on the Baltic?
Uh… it doesn’t?
Today: Why the hell does your stupid book say Amsterdam is on the Baltic?
Uh… it doesn’t?
November 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
You honestly would not believe how often I get emails from people who strongly disagree with what I’ve written in my latest book and are very disappointed about it while openly admitting they haven’t read it.
Today: Why the hell does your stupid book say Amsterdam is on the Baltic?
Uh… it doesn’t?
Today: Why the hell does your stupid book say Amsterdam is on the Baltic?
Uh… it doesn’t?
Joking aside: it’s worth every penny, even at double this price
Cost of renovating Dutch parliament complex rises to €2.7bn www.dutchnews.nl?p=260064
Cost of renovating Dutch parliament complex rises to €2.7bn
www.dutchnews.nl
November 17, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Joking aside: it’s worth every penny, even at double this price
Dick Schoof took part in the Zevenheuvelenloop 15km hill running race today. Not something you’ll see Trump or many others do.
Schoofie is 68 years old and did it in 1hr 15. “Faster than last year, so the premiership has done me good!”
Schoofie is 68 years old and did it in 1hr 15. “Faster than last year, so the premiership has done me good!”
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Dick Schoof took part in the Zevenheuvelenloop 15km hill running race today. Not something you’ll see Trump or many others do.
Schoofie is 68 years old and did it in 1hr 15. “Faster than last year, so the premiership has done me good!”
Schoofie is 68 years old and did it in 1hr 15. “Faster than last year, so the premiership has done me good!”
Keir Starmer is not that bad
November 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Keir Starmer is not that bad
The current fisheries and farming minister is from a far right party, and the Netherlands has had rightwing governments continuously since 2002 - longer than almost any other country in Western Europe. But when things go wrong it’s still always the left’s fault, apparently.
Snowflakes!
Snowflakes!
November 15, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The current fisheries and farming minister is from a far right party, and the Netherlands has had rightwing governments continuously since 2002 - longer than almost any other country in Western Europe. But when things go wrong it’s still always the left’s fault, apparently.
Snowflakes!
Snowflakes!
Reposted by Ben Coates
A polite reminder - if you are interested in the Netherlands, in how a small country got so rich and built an empire, in how its politics have been upended in the last few years and what challenges it faces in the future -then you might enjoy a book about its capital!
www.amazon.nl/-/en/Ben-Coa...
www.amazon.nl/-/en/Ben-Coa...
October 30, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A polite reminder - if you are interested in the Netherlands, in how a small country got so rich and built an empire, in how its politics have been upended in the last few years and what challenges it faces in the future -then you might enjoy a book about its capital!
www.amazon.nl/-/en/Ben-Coa...
www.amazon.nl/-/en/Ben-Coa...
Reposted by Ben Coates
The Zwarte Piet transition has been one of the more interesting social changes over the last decades.
Six years ago the Sinterklaas parade in Gouda was maybe 80% full blackface. Now it’s 0%. The kids haven’t noticed and no-one cares.
November 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The Zwarte Piet transition has been one of the more interesting social changes over the last decades.
Six years ago the Sinterklaas parade in Gouda was maybe 80% full blackface. Now it’s 0%. The kids haven’t noticed and no-one cares.
November 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Six years ago the Sinterklaas parade in Gouda was maybe 80% full blackface. Now it’s 0%. The kids haven’t noticed and no-one cares.
Have a lovely weekend, everyone
November 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Have a lovely weekend, everyone
There was a 3.4 magnitude earthquake in Groningen this morning, due to gas extraction.
Wilders was quick to sympathize but forgot to mention he pledged to remove windmills, build gas power stations and speed N.Sea extraction.
JA21, who pledged to drill more in Groningen, have been oddly silent 🤔
Wilders was quick to sympathize but forgot to mention he pledged to remove windmills, build gas power stations and speed N.Sea extraction.
JA21, who pledged to drill more in Groningen, have been oddly silent 🤔
November 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
There was a 3.4 magnitude earthquake in Groningen this morning, due to gas extraction.
Wilders was quick to sympathize but forgot to mention he pledged to remove windmills, build gas power stations and speed N.Sea extraction.
JA21, who pledged to drill more in Groningen, have been oddly silent 🤔
Wilders was quick to sympathize but forgot to mention he pledged to remove windmills, build gas power stations and speed N.Sea extraction.
JA21, who pledged to drill more in Groningen, have been oddly silent 🤔
I had forgotten that D66/Rob Jetten’s election manifesto included a pledge to make it easier to get euthanasia for mental illness
November 14, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I had forgotten that D66/Rob Jetten’s election manifesto included a pledge to make it easier to get euthanasia for mental illness
The most important rule of politics is that most people do not give a toss about politics. They won’t hear details or nuance, just “Reeves broke her promise and your income tax is going up” or “lots of random other taxes are going up but income tax is not”. And politically the latter is much better
Too much analysis was still treating breaking the tax pledge as “just another unpopular decision” rather than recognising consequence of breaking a promise which defined an election for the public. If is correct the govt won’t now break it they may have avoided a deeply scarring loss of public trust
November 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The most important rule of politics is that most people do not give a toss about politics. They won’t hear details or nuance, just “Reeves broke her promise and your income tax is going up” or “lots of random other taxes are going up but income tax is not”. And politically the latter is much better