🔗 Share this article

In a move inspired by fictional watches, the Danish foreign affairs department has created a nighttime monitoring unit—far from guarding against mythical threats, but to track Donald Trump as Denmark sleeps.

The night monitoring starts at 5pm in Denmark each day and ends with a report produced at 7am, which is then distributed throughout the Danish government and concerned agencies covering statements made and developments that occurred.

The role is believed to have been introduced following the bilateral row involving Copenhagen and Washington regarding the Arctic island earlier this year, when the American leader suggested acquiring control of the resource-rich territory.

Analysts point out that this initiative is one of multiple examples of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adapt to the new reality of the Trump's current term.

A source close to the foreign office remarked, “It is fair to say that the circumstances in the region and the time zone gap separating Denmark and the US were a significant reason introducing this arrangement in the earlier months.”

Rather than everybody needing to immediately reach for their phones to stay informed on updates from the United States, the foreign office explained it had undertaken a coordinated approach to remain informed on the president's activities.

An expert, a former chief analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, commented that this development demonstrated, “as long understood,” 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 common threat perception,” Kaarsbo added. “The president lacks both of those with Denmark and it can be said he doesn't share it with the majority of Europe.”