Denmark Sets Up Nighttime Monitoring Operation to Track President Trump After Arctic Row
Taking action inspired by fictional guards, the Danish foreign affairs department has initiated a night watch team—far from to fend off mythical foes, but to track Donald Trump while Denmark is asleep.
This night watch begins at 5 p.m. in Denmark each day and ends with a summary produced at 7 a.m., which is then circulated across government departments and concerned offices covering what was said and events that occurred.
The role is believed to have been established in the wake of the diplomatic dispute between Copenhagen and the US regarding the Arctic island this spring, when the American leader threatened taking control of the strategic island.
Analysts note that this initiative is among multiple instances of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adapt to the changed landscape of the Trump's current term.
A source close to the foreign office remarked, “It's accurate to say that the situation in Greenland and the time difference between Copenhagen and the United States was quite an important factor introducing this system in the spring.”
Rather than everybody needing to immediately reach for their phones to catch up on updates from the United States, the ministry explained it had undertaken a collective effort to stay updated on Trump actions.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, commented that this move showed, “as long understood,” that the notion of the US as Denmark's largest and most important ally was no longer valid. “Partnerships are built on common values and a mutual view of threats,” Kaarsbo added. “The president lacks both of those with Denmark and I would argue he doesn't share it with the majority of Europe.”