In 2016, the Clingendael Magazine moved further along the digital trail. It became a solely online magazine, supported by a website, publishing articles on current developments in international relations on a weekly basis, as well as ‘Dossiers’ (special issues) on specific topics. Furthermore, the Spectator started publishing some articles in English.

The first ‘Dossier’ appeared in April and coincided with the presentation of the Clingendael Strategic Monitor; it was preceded by the first ‘Spectator lecture’ by editor-in-chief Jan Rood, which was co-organised with the Leiden branch of the Student Association for International Relations (SIB). In June 2016, ‘A Realistic Foreign Policy’, Dutch politician Han ten Broeke’s manifesto, was published, with reactions from foreign policy experts. This was followed in the autumn by special issues on Brexit, on the new Turkey and on geopolitics and Dutch businesses. The final ‘Dossier’, on cyber-security, was accompanied by a seminar on cyber-related topics, held in Amsterdam and organised by the Spectator’s Editorial Board and the SIB.

The number of (free) subscribers to the Clingendael Spectator grew from 2,500 to 2,800 and extensive use was also made of the Spectator’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The separate articles were published online by the Editorial Office. The ‘Dossiers’ appeared as web publications.

The Editorial Office, which evaluates articles and other contributions during its weekly meetings, consisted of editor-in-chief Jan Rood and managing editors Bram Peeters and Peter Schregardus. During 2016, three students served four-month internships in the Editorial Office.

Overview of Volume 70 (2016) of Clingendael Spectator:

Volume 70 (2016)

Number of articles (separately published)

Special issues (‘Dossiers’)

Number of items

January

7

February

8

March

9

‘Orde in de wereld van morgen’ (Order in the world of tomorrow)

9

April

4

May

8

June

5

‘Een realistisch buitenlands beleid’ (A realistic foreign policy)

7

July

6

August

5

September

4

‘Na de Brexit: wat nu met de EU?’ (After the Brexit: what next for the EU?)

9

October

4

‘Het nieuwe Turkije’ (The new Turkey)

10

November

5

‘Geopolitiek en de B.V. Nederland’ (Geopolitics and the Netherlands’ business community)

8

December

4

‘Lost in cyberspace’

7

Total

69

50