Denmark Sets Up Special Watch System to Observe Trump Following Arctic Row
Taking action reminiscent of fictional guards, the Danish foreign ministry has created a night watch team—far from to fend off mythical threats, but to monitor the US president as Copenhagen sleeps.
This night watch begins at 5pm in Denmark each day and ends with a report compiled at 7am, which is then distributed throughout the Danish government and concerned agencies covering what was said and events taking place.
The role is believed to have been introduced in the wake of the bilateral dispute between Copenhagen and the US regarding Greenland this spring, when the US president suggested taking control of the strategic territory.
Analysts point out that this measure is one of multiple instances of how Danish diplomacy and its government administration have had to adjust to the new reality of the second Trump administration.
A source close to the foreign office stated, “It's accurate to say that the circumstances in the region and the time difference between Copenhagen and the US were quite an important factor prompting this system in the earlier months.”
Instead of everybody needing to immediately check their phones to stay informed on updates from the US, the foreign office said it had undertaken a collective effort to remain informed on Trump actions.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the defense intelligence service, commented that this move showed, “as we have always known,” that the notion of the US as Denmark’s largest and most important ally was no longer valid. “Partnerships are founded on shared principles and a common threat perception,” Kaarsbo added. “The president shares neither of those with us and it can be said he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”