Denmark Establishes Special Monitoring Operation to Track Trump After Arctic Dispute
Taking action inspired by fictional watches, the Danish foreign affairs department has created a nighttime monitoring unit—not guarding against fantasy foes, but to track the US president while Copenhagen sleeps.
This night watch begins at 5pm local time daily and ends with a report produced at 7am, which is then circulated throughout government departments and concerned offices covering what was said and events that occurred.
This position is understood to have been introduced in the wake of the diplomatic row involving Copenhagen and the US regarding the Arctic island this spring, when the US president threatened acquiring control of the resource-rich territory.
Observers point out that this initiative is one of multiple examples of how Denmark's foreign policy and its government administration have had to adjust to the new reality of the second Trump administration.
An insider close to the ministry stated, “It is fair to say that the circumstances in the region and the time difference between Copenhagen and the United States was a significant reason introducing this arrangement in the earlier months.”
Instead of all staff needing to promptly check their phones to stay informed on updates from the US, the foreign office said it had undertaken a coordinated approach to remain informed on Trump activities.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a former senior analyst at the defense intelligence service, commented that this move showed, “as long understood,” that the idea of the United States as Denmark’s largest and most important ally was dead. “Partnerships are built on common values and a common threat perception,” he added. “Trump shares neither of those with us and I would argue he doesn't share it with the majority of Europe.”
