Denmark Establishes Nighttime Watch Operation to Track Trump After Greenland Row
In a move reminiscent of TV series watches, Denmark's foreign affairs department has created a night watch team—not to fend off mythical foes, but to track the US president as Denmark sleeps.
This night watch begins at 5pm local time each day and concludes with a summary compiled at 7am, which is then circulated throughout the Danish government and concerned agencies detailing statements made and events taking place.
The role is believed to have been established following the diplomatic dispute involving Denmark and the US over 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 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 stated, “It's accurate to say that the circumstances in Greenland and the time difference separating Denmark and the US was a significant factor introducing this arrangement in the earlier months.”
Rather than all staff needing to promptly reach for their phones to catch up on updates from the US, the ministry said it had undertaken a collective effort to remain informed on Trump actions.
An expert, a ex- chief analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, commented that this move demonstrated, “as long understood,” that the notion of the US as Denmark's primary partner was dead. “Partnerships are built on common values and a common threat perception,” he said. “Trump shares neither of those with Denmark and it can be said he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”
