The Danish government has established a 'night watch' within its foreign ministry to monitor US President Donald Trump's statements and activities during the night, following a diplomatic dispute over Greenland. The arrangement, reminiscent of the Night's Watch from Game of Thrones, aims to keep officials informed of developments while Copenhagen sleeps.
The night watch operates from 5pm local time each day, with a report compiled by 7am and distributed across the Danish government and relevant departments. The initiative was introduced after Trump threatened to take control of Greenland earlier this year, sparking tensions between Denmark and the United States.
According to the Danish newspaper Politiken, this measure is one of several adaptations by Danish diplomacy and civil service to the second Trump administration. A source close to the foreign office told the Guardian that the time difference between Denmark and the US was a key factor in implementing the arrangement, allowing for a 'collective effort' to stay updated rather than relying on individual phone checks.
Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the Danish Defence Intelligence Agency, commented that the development underscores a shift in the US-Denmark alliance. 'Alliances are built on common values and a common threat perception,' he said. 'Trump shares neither of those with us, and I would argue he doesn't share it with most Europeans.'
