DIIS Book

In a Time of Crisis - Rethinking Danish Foreign Policy in the Middle East and North Africa

New DIIS publication about Danish foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa

Denmark faces hard strategic choices in the Middle East and North Africa. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States has acted as a guiding light for Copenhagen on foreign and security policy in the region. Today, major US policy decisions under President Donald Trump offer less of a reference, standing at odds with European foreign policy positions.

In the face of these broad shifts in international politics, and considerable security and political challenges in the region, this new DIIS-report stresses the need for Denmark to shape its own unique approach.

The authors, senior reseracher at DIIS Rasmus Alenius Boserup, senior resaercher at DIIS Luke Pateyand Hetav Rojan warn that while it might be tempting to look away and disengage from a region undergoing such turmoil, transnational jihadism and trans-border migration from the Middle East and North Africa are likely to continue to generate significant challenges to European and Danish security and stability in the coming decade. In consequence Denmark should rethink its strategic approach and adapt to a world and region in flux by seeking ways to work closer with its European allies on security, by continuing to support strategic democratization and good governance programmes as a buffer against hardening authoritarianism, and by harnessing its economic diplomacy to aid these efforts by offering opportunities for the region’s young and growing populations.

Watch the conference here

DIIS Experts

Luke Patey
Foreign policy and diplomacy
Senior Researcher
+45 9132 5479
Solve the Middel East
In a Time of Crisis
Danish Foreign Policy in the Middle East and North Africa