Denmark Sets Up Nighttime Watch System to Observe Trump Following Greenland Row
Taking action reminiscent of TV series watches, Denmark's foreign ministry has initiated a night watch team—not to fend off mythical foes, but to monitor the US president as Copenhagen sleeps.
This night monitoring starts at 5 p.m. in Denmark daily and concludes with a summary compiled at 7 a.m., which is then circulated throughout the Danish government and relevant offices covering statements made and developments taking place.
The role is believed to have been introduced following the diplomatic row involving Copenhagen and the US over Greenland earlier this year, when the US president threatened acquiring control of the strategic island.
Analysts point out that this initiative is one of multiple instances of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adapt to the changed landscape of the second Trump administration.
An insider familiar with the foreign office remarked, “It is fair to say that the situation in the region and the time difference between Denmark and the United States were quite an important factor prompting this system in the spring.”
Rather than everybody needing to promptly check their devices to catch up on news from the United States, the foreign office explained it had undertaken a coordinated approach to remain informed on Trump actions.
An expert, a former senior analyst at the defense intelligence service, stated that this move demonstrated, “as we have always known,” that the notion of the US as Denmark’s primary ally was dead. “Partnerships are founded on common values and a common threat perception,” he added. “Trump shares neither of those with us and it can be said he doesn't share it with the majority of Europe.”
