Denmark Sets Up Special Monitoring System to Track Trump Following Arctic Row
Taking action reminiscent of TV series guards, the Danish foreign affairs department has initiated a night watch unit—not guarding against mythical threats, but to monitor the US president as Denmark sleeps.
This night watch starts at 5 p.m. in Denmark each day and ends with a summary compiled at 7am, which is then circulated throughout government departments and relevant offices detailing statements made and developments that occurred.
The role is understood to have been established in the wake of the diplomatic dispute involving Copenhagen and Washington regarding the Arctic island this spring, when the American leader suggested acquiring control of the resource-rich island.
Analysts note that this initiative is among multiple instances of how Danish diplomacy and its government administration have had to adjust to the changed landscape of the Trump's current term.
An insider close to the foreign office remarked, “It is fair to say that the situation in the region and the time zone gap between Copenhagen and the US was a significant reason introducing this arrangement in the spring.”
Rather than all staff having to promptly reach for their devices to catch up on updates from the US, the ministry said it had made a coordinated approach to stay updated on Trump activities.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a ex- senior analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, stated that this development showed, “as long understood,” that the idea of the US as Denmark’s largest and most important partner was dead. “Partnerships are built on common values and a mutual view of threats,” he added. “Trump shares neither of those with Denmark and I would argue he lacks it with most Europeans.”