Denmark Sets Up Nighttime Watch Operation to Track Trump After Greenland Row
Taking action inspired by TV series guards, Denmark's foreign ministry has created a nighttime monitoring unit—far from to fend off mythical foes, but to monitor the US president as Denmark is asleep.
The night monitoring begins at 5 p.m. local time each day and ends with a summary compiled at 7am, which is then circulated throughout government departments and relevant agencies detailing statements made and events taking place.
This position is believed to have been established in the wake of the bilateral dispute involving Denmark and the US over Greenland this spring, when the US president suggested acquiring control of the resource-rich island.
Analysts point out that this measure is one of several examples of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adjust to the changed landscape of the second Trump administration.
A source familiar with the ministry stated, “It is fair to say that the situation in Greenland and the time zone gap between Denmark and the US were quite an important reason introducing this system in the spring.”
Instead of all staff needing to promptly reach for their phones to stay informed on updates from the United States, the ministry said it had made a coordinated approach to remain informed on the president's actions.
An expert, a ex- chief analyst at the defense intelligence service, stated that this development showed, “as we have always known,” that the idea of the United States as Denmark's largest and most important ally was dead. “Partnerships are founded on shared principles and a mutual view of threats,” he said. “The president shares neither of those with Denmark and I would argue he doesn't share it with the majority of Europe.”
