The Danish Connection

• The Situation Room with Jonas Friis: A history of Denmark’s evolving military strategy

  Welcome back to The Situation Room. This week Jonas Friis sits down with Jan Werner Mathiasen - a military analyst at the Institute for Strategy and War Studies, where he also teaches and researches military strategy. Jan focuses on how culture, domestic politics, and identity affect how countries use military power. He has also been an officer in the Danish military for 25 years.In this episode, Jan walks us through the transformation of Denmark’s defense policy over the years - from semi-armed neutrality to active participation in international operations.He unpacks the impact of the Nazi occupation on the Danish psyche, why Denmark chose to break from the tradition of Nordic Neutrality and the successes and failures of Danish military operations since the Cold War.

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• Maternity in Denmark as an expat, junk food ads on social media banned, and Palestine debate blocked in schools

  Welcome back to another brand new episode of The Danish Connection - this is a special one!Government moves to ban ads for junk food aimed at children
Reported by Melissa
As part of Cancer Plan V, Denmark will tighten its Marketing Act to stop influencers and companies from targeting children under 15 with ads for soda, chips, and fast food. Melissa explores what sparked the change, what it means for public health, and whether it signals a broader shift in the ‘Wild West’ of influencer marketing on social media.Decision to ban Palestine debate from school elections raises concerns over censorship
Reported by Rachel
The Danish Parliament’s Presidium has blocked youth parties from including Palestinian statehood in next year’s school election debates, stating the topic is too sensitive and complex for the students to debate in the three week time frame. Rachel unpacks the backlash from student leaders and left-wing parties, and discusses what this means for civic education and freedom of expression in Danish schools.Navigating pregnancy in Denmark: A guide for international mothers 
Reported by Eva
Eva shares her own pregnancy journey and kicks off an important discussion on maternity in Denmark for internationals. From public fertility services to prenatal care, hospital rights, leave policies, and baby welcome packages - this is essential listening for expectant parents navigating a foreign system.For more information about everything Eva speaks about in this episode, explore these links:borger.dk (Citizens service page)Sundhedsstyrelsens.dk (The official Danish health authority)https://ast.dk/  (Board of Equal Treatment (Ligebehandlingsnævnet) - for complaints and pregnancy discrimination caseshttps://sagfoererne.com  Arbejdsmiljøet (Work Environment Authority) - regarding workplace safety. They can recommend changes to reduce workload for pregnant staffAs always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email [email protected] and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!

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• New law proposed to limit use of English, a Danish embassy in Tunisia and major justice reforms bring tougher sentences and more reintegration plans

  The rain is back, and so are we! This week on The Danish Connection:Political push to limit English in Danish institutionsReported by RachelAre Danes speaking too much English in their daily lives? Two parties are proposing new language laws to restrict English in public spaces and education. While supporters argue it's about protecting Danish identity, critics say it's out of touch with an increasingly global society. We asked some Danes what they think about it.Denmark opens embassy in Tunisia amid human rights criticismReported by MelissaWhile Denmark deepens ties with Tunisia on climate and migration, human rights watchdogs warn of growing repression against migrants, activists, and journalists under the current regime. Can diplomatic engagement coexist with ethical foreign policy, and are there other interests at play?Major criminal justice reform: harsher sentences, smarter reintegration?Reported by EvaA historic reform package will expand Denmark’s prison capacity, double sentences for violent crimes, and invest in new reintegration models. But staffing shortages and other challenges remain. What does the future look like for Denmark’s justice system?As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email [email protected] and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!

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• An elderly driver injures several, why foreign workers are being recruited to work in care homes and the King's visit to Greenland

  Happy Sunday everyone!This week on The Danish Connection:Copenhagen car crash raises questions about driving laws for the elderly*Reported by RachelA 75-year-old man was held in custody last week after injuring 12 people in a serious car accident near the lakes in central Copenhagen. He claims confusion and a slipped foot caused the crash, but the court suspects he knew he was unable to drive safely. Denmark turns to foreign labour to address elder care shortage*Reported by EvaThe government is forming recruitment deals with countries like India and the Philippines to fill an urgent shortage in elderly care staff. With projections showing a 10,000 worker gap in the next decade, the initiative marks a major policy shift. We talk about integration issues with foreign labour initiatives in the past, and whether choices regarding foreign labour are too selective.The King’s ‘Apolitical’ trip to Greenland*Reported by MelissaKing Frederik’s second visit to Greenland in just a year is being interpreted as a deliberate message of unity. With updates to the royal coat of arms and rising talk of “The Kingdom,” the monarchy appears to be taking a more active role in shaping the Denmark-Greenland relationship. But can any monarchy really be considered Apolitical?As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email [email protected] and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!

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• Debating the new abortion limit, a citizenship scandal in Fyn, and Denmark’s oldest women’s magazine returns to print

  We’re back! Did you miss us?This week on The Danish Connection:Melissa shares the case of Nadine, a woman raised in Denmark since she was a child who is now facing possible deportation over a 20-year-old citizenship "mistake." She also shares how a Facebook comment may have worked against her, and what this says about citizenship, rights, and political pressure in Denmark.Rachel discusses a major shift in reproductive rights: Denmark has officially extended the abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks. She breaks down the new law, the political debates it has sparked, and what Mette Frederiksen has to say about it.Eva looks into why after almost 150 years, Denmark’s oldest women’s magazine Femina decided to end its weekly print editions - and then quickly backtracked on its decision. She also looks into how this correlates to PostNord’s decision to shut down its letter-delivering service in favour of digitalization, and what this means for Denmark’s older residents.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email [email protected] and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!

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