🔗 Share this article

In a move inspired by TV series guards, the Danish foreign affairs department has initiated a night watch unit—not to fend off mythical foes, but to track the US president as Copenhagen sleeps.

This night monitoring begins at 5pm in Denmark daily and ends with a report compiled at 7am, which is then circulated across the Danish government and relevant offices detailing what was said and events that occurred.

This position is understood to have been introduced following the diplomatic dispute between Denmark and Washington over the Arctic island earlier this year, when the American leader suggested acquiring control of the strategic territory.

Analysts note that this measure is among several instances of how Denmark's foreign policy and its government administration have had to adapt to the new reality of the second Trump administration.

A source close to the ministry remarked, “It is fair to say that the circumstances in the region and the time difference between Copenhagen and the United States was quite an important factor prompting this system in the spring.”

Rather than everybody having to immediately reach for their devices to stay informed on news from the US, the ministry explained it had undertaken a collective effort to stay updated on the president's activities.

Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, stated that this move showed, “as long understood,” that the notion of the US as Denmark’s largest and most important ally was dead. “Partnerships are built on shared principles and a mutual view of threats,” Kaarsbo said. “Trump shares neither of those with Denmark and I would argue he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”