(Adnkronos) – Tensions between the United States and Denmark over Greenland have not been entirely forgotten. The Danish government has established a night watch service within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – still in operation – with the evocative name ‘Night’s Watch’, the imaginary brotherhood from Game of Thrones dedicated to defending the Wall. Its task is to monitor the statements and movements of American President Donald Trump during hours when, due to the time difference, Copenhagen might be more exposed to potential American expansionist ambitions.
Today, the newspaper ‘Politiken’ reports on this, specifying that the night watch service, every day from 5 PM to 7 AM the following morning, concludes with the presentation of a report that is circulated within the government and various departments, containing a summary of what has been said and happened. The service was introduced in the aftermath of the controversy between Copenhagen and Washington over Greenland. (continues)
The initiative – according to Politiken – is one of numerous examples of how Danish diplomacy and the country’s public administration have had to adapt to the new reality of the Trump administration’s second term. A source close to the Foreign Ministry told The Guardian that “it is correct to say that the situation in Greenland and the time difference between Denmark and the United States were quite important factors in the introduction of this arrangement during the spring”.
Instead of forcing everyone to immediately resort to their phones to stay updated on news from the United States, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead made a ‘collective effort’ to stay updated on Trump, an internal source stated. For Jacob Kaarsbo, former chief analyst at the Danish defense intelligence agency, this demonstrates, “as we have always known,” that the idea that the United States was Denmark’s largest and most important ally is now outdated. “Alliances are based on common values and a common perception of threats,” Kaarsbo stated. “Trump shares none of these aspects with us, and I would say he doesn’t share them with most Europeans either”.
