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Simone Juffermans wrote that the government had postponed the reopening of Lelystad Airport for over six years due to nitrogen problems and the vulnerable nature of the Veluwe. According to her, that same government had deemed military use by F-35s acceptable and decided to expand the airport by 40 hectares, bringing it to a total of 240 hectares. This would require four families and six businesses to relocate. Juffermans also wrote that there was still no nature permit and that Secretary of State Boswijk had said that this could not wait. She suggested that the government would adjust the nitrogen calculation method for this purpose. Boswijk reportedly acknowledged the consequences for the families and businesses involved, but according to Juffermans, he did not expect that more homes and businesses would disappear in the short term due to defense expansions. However, she stated that he could not rule that out. #Lelystad #stikstof #natuur (translated)

At the beginning of October, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Vincent Karremans (VVD) stated during a meeting in the House of Representatives that Lelystad Airport would not need an environmental permit if the cabinet succeeds in implementing a lower statutory calculation method for nitrogen. #LelystadAirport #F35 #Defensie (translated)

With the National Program Space for Defense, we create the necessary space for the growth of defense. In a densely populated country, this has a huge impact on society. Our choices are the result of a careful consideration between military necessity and the interests of the surrounding area. Secretary of State Boswijk understands that the decision has significant consequences for local residents. #LelystadAirport #F35 #Defensie (translated)

"The war will cost 155 billion euros next year. And we need at least an additional 70 billion euros from you – for defense, for weapons, and for our resilience." Zelensky stated that he is convinced that European countries have enough interceptor missiles to share and thus ‘get through this winter.’ #Zelensky #Oekraïne #EUleiding (translated)

Jan B. Hommel wrote, referring to a report from NOS, that families and businesses had to leave near Lelystad airport due to the expansion of the defense sector. He stated that residents in the Netherlands had little legal protection according to him and that people like Derk Boswijk and the Ministry of Defense could take away their rights. Hommel noted that the airport, in his opinion, did not yet have an environmental permit, but that Boswijk had said that they could not wait for it. He wrote that citizens and companies sometimes could not wait for permits either, but that their interests, according to him, did not count. Hommel called the Netherlands a "banana kingdom," said that only cynicism remained, and wrote that it was time to leave the country. #Lelystad #Defensie #Rechten (translated)

Chris Kramer wrote that activist Tom van ’t Einde reacted strongly when Douwe Filz nuanced the situation regarding the war in Ukraine. A defense guest reportedly said that during wartime, one should not look at things from two sides. Kramer referred to this as the level of the Dutch debate and talk shows, where, according to him, a table with a visibly irritated host reacted negatively when someone wanted to discuss multiple perspectives. He stated that the underlying message was to remain silent and follow the government. #Oorlog #Oekraïne #Debat (translated)

Juliana Könning, vice-chairman of the National Student Union, argued in an opinion piece that claiming that young people are being sacrificed to 'war lust' is pure deception, and advocates for a realistic approach to the discussion surrounding defense spending and the possible introduction of the Defense Readiness Act. #Oorlogskoorts #Jongeren #Defensie (translated)

In the podcast Praat mee met AD, the discussion is held on how European countries should react to Russia's hybrid attacks, with some advocating for a military counter-response while others emphasize that diplomacy must always remain an option. #Rusland #Diplomatie #Defensie (translated)