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In a move inspired by fictional watches, the Danish foreign affairs department has initiated a nighttime monitoring unit—not to fend off fantasy foes, but to monitor Donald Trump while Denmark sleeps.

The night watch begins at 5 p.m. local time daily and ends with a report compiled at 7am, which is then circulated throughout the Danish government and concerned agencies covering statements made and events that occurred.

This position is understood to have been introduced in the wake of the bilateral row involving Denmark and the US regarding the Arctic island this spring, when the American leader suggested taking control of the resource-rich island.

Analysts point out that this measure is among several examples of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adapt to the changed landscape of the Trump's current term.

A source close to the ministry remarked, “It is fair to say that the situation in the region and the time difference between Copenhagen and the US were quite an important factor introducing this system during the spring.”

Rather than all staff needing to immediately check their phones to catch up on updates from the United States, the ministry said it had made a collective effort to stay updated on Trump activities.

Jacob Kaarsbo, a ex- senior analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, commented that this move showed, “as we have always known,” that the idea of the United States as Denmark's primary partner was dead. “Alliances are founded on shared principles and a common threat perception,” Kaarsbo added. “Trump lacks both of those with us and I would argue he lacks it with most Europeans.”