Do Dutch Dutch?

In a world where loudmouth pundits love to tout how life is supposedly so much better everywhere but the good ol' USA, reality hits differently when you venture out and see how others actually live—and let’s not forget, self-defense is as real as it gets, even in places you wouldn’t expect. Take the Netherlands, for example. This famously peaceful country, known more for tulips and bicycles than tanks, is now “future-proofing” its military because, shocker, the world isn’t all sunshine and windmills.

The Dutch Defense Ministry just unveiled its most ambitious military plan in modern history, including buying more F-35 fighter jets and bringing back a Dutch tank battalion—yes, tanks. Apparently, even the “liberal haven” of Europe has figured out that peace signs alone don’t keep the wolves at bay. With Russia’s war on Ukraine turning Europe’s backyard into a geopolitical hotspot, the Netherlands, like many NATO allies, is scrambling to boost its defenses.

With an extra €2.4 billion per year to bring their defense budget up to €24 billion, the Dutch are ensuring they meet NATO’s goal of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense. Turns out, even countries often seen as utopias need to beef up their military in these “uncertain times.” So the next time someone’s waxing poetic about how “advanced” other nations are, just remember: even the Dutch are stocking up on fighter jets and submarines. Self-defense isn’t just a U.S. thing—it’s a reality check that everyone’s cashing in on.