Episode Details

Dutch intelligence had damning intel on Iraq’s poison gas program in 1984 — including chemical shipments from Dutch firms — but the government quietly ignored alarms from U.S. and Israeli officials, fearing to expose sources and protecting business interests. Junior minister Frits Bolkestein pushed for lax controls, and when parliament questioned the exports, ministers conveniently omitted foreign warnings. Years later, even after the Halabja massacre, Dutch companies continued shipping suspect chemicals. Now, Iranian victims are suing a successor firm, and a court ruling looms — while the foreign ministry defends past decisions as made with limited, emerging export controls.

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