The Danish government Sets Up Special Monitoring System to Track President Trump After Arctic Row
Taking action inspired by fictional watches, the Danish foreign ministry has initiated a nighttime monitoring team—not guarding against mythical threats, but to track the US president as Denmark sleeps.
The night watch starts at 5 p.m. in Denmark each day and ends with a summary compiled at 7 a.m., which is then circulated 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 row between Denmark and the US regarding the Arctic island earlier this year, when the US president suggested 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 civil service have had to adjust to the changed landscape of the second Trump administration.
A source close to the ministry stated, “It's accurate to say that the circumstances in Greenland and the time zone gap separating Copenhagen and the US was a significant reason introducing this arrangement during the spring.”
Rather than all staff having to immediately check their phones to stay informed on updates from the United States, the foreign office explained it had made a coordinated approach to remain informed on Trump activities.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a ex- senior analyst at the defense intelligence service, commented that this development demonstrated, “as we have always known,” that the idea of the US as Denmark’s primary partner was dead. “Alliances are built on shared principles and a common threat perception,” Kaarsbo added. “The president lacks both of those with us and I would argue he lacks it with most Europeans.”