The Danish government Sets Up Special Watch Operation to Observe Trump Following Arctic Row
Taking action inspired by TV series watches, the Danish foreign affairs department has initiated a nighttime monitoring unit—far from guarding against mythical foes, but to track the US president while Copenhagen is asleep.
The night watch starts at 5 p.m. local time each day and concludes with a report compiled at 7am, which is then distributed across the Danish government and concerned offices covering what was said and events that occurred.
The role is believed to have been introduced following the bilateral dispute involving Copenhagen and the US regarding the Arctic island earlier this year, when the American leader threatened taking control of the resource-rich island.
Analysts point out that this initiative is among multiple examples of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adjust to the changed landscape of the second Trump administration.
An insider familiar with the foreign office stated, “It is fair to say that the situation in Greenland and the time zone gap between Denmark and the United States were a significant factor introducing this arrangement in the spring.”
Instead of all staff needing to promptly reach for their phones to catch up on updates from the US, the ministry said it had undertaken a coordinated approach to stay updated on Trump actions.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a former senior analyst at the defense intelligence service, commented that this development showed, “as we have always known,” that the idea of the United States as Denmark's primary ally was no longer valid. “Partnerships are founded on shared principles and a mutual view of threats,” Kaarsbo said. “The president lacks both of those with us and I would argue he lacks it with most Europeans.”
