Danish engagement in the Middle East from WWII to the Arab Uprisings

This chapter in the book Northern Europe and the Making of the EU's Mediterranean and Middle East Policiesargues that Denmark traditionally established few ties with the Arab World and that after the Cold War Danish foreign Policy was mainly preoccupied with Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries. However with the 9/11 attacks, the newly inaugurated right-wing government shifted Denmark’s foreign and security policies dramatically. Denmark started to pursue a more militaristic and idealistic foreign policy aimed at promoting liberal values, by military means if necessary. The Arab World was defined as the centre of this new policy. Denmark became a strong ally of the neo-conservative Bush Administration, while largely circumventing the EU’s cooperative frameworks with the Southern Mediterranean countries. In part this was a result of deep disillusionement with the Southern European countries unwillingness to push the reform agenda more forcefully. Denmark thus placed itself at the forefront of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and launched its own bilateral Initiative for Partnership and reform in the Arab World. While the 2006 Cartoon Crisis and later the change of government led to a moderate Europeanisation of Danish Mid East Policies, domestic politics and vested security interest will lead Denmark to continue prioritizing cooperation with the US and bilateral relations with the Arab World.