Country Presentation: The Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands comprise four countries:  the country in Europe (the Netherlands) and Aruba, Curaçao and St. Martin in the Caribbean. This presentation will focus mainly on the European part of the Kingdom. The tiny country of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, and the head of state is the King of the Netherlands from the House of Orange-Nassau. Politically, we are a Parliamentary Democracy with a Prime Minister leading the cabinet (Executive branch), the First and Second chambers (Legislative branch, equivalent to the US Senate and the House of Representatives), and a separate Judicial branch. Economically, the Netherlands is home to many world-renowned companies including Heineken, Phillips, Shell (not officially anymore), and ASML, a critical company in the current era of the great power competition. This presentation will explore the rich history and current issues of this small but intriguing nation.

Major Willem Diepeveen was commissioned in the Netherlands Marine Corps after graduating from the Marine Officers Training Course. He started his career as an infantry platoon commander, followed by several other operational billets as company executive officer, company commander, and battalion operations officer. He has been an officer-instructor and commanding officer of the Marine Officers Training Course and an exchange officer with the United States Marine Corps in Camp Lejeune. Before joining the Naval War College,Major Diepeveen served in the Netherlands Marine Corps Force Design Program Office. He holds a BSc in Computer Science and has completed several military courses. He lives in Newport with his wife Wilma and their three children: Wesley, Rosaly, and Tooske.