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Taking action inspired by fictional watches, the Danish foreign ministry has initiated a nighttime monitoring team—not to fend off fantasy foes, but to monitor the US president while Denmark sleeps.

This night watch starts at 5pm in Denmark daily and ends with a summary produced at 7 a.m., which is then distributed throughout government departments and concerned agencies covering statements made and events taking place.

The role is understood to have been introduced in the wake of the bilateral dispute involving Copenhagen and the US regarding the Arctic island earlier this year, when the US president suggested taking control of the strategic territory.

Observers point out that this initiative is among multiple instances of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adapt to the changed landscape of the Trump's current term.

A source familiar with the foreign office remarked, “It's accurate to say that the situation in Greenland and the time difference separating Copenhagen and the United States was quite an important factor prompting this system during the spring.”

Instead of all staff needing to immediately reach for their phones to stay informed on news from the US, the ministry explained it had made a collective effort to stay updated on Trump activities.

Jacob Kaarsbo, a ex- senior analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, stated that this development demonstrated, “as long understood,” that the notion of the United States as Denmark’s largest and most important ally was no longer valid. “Alliances are founded on common values and a common threat perception,” he said. “The president shares neither of those with us and I would argue he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”