Armadillo

PBS Premiere: Aug. 30, 2011Check the broadcast schedule »

In Context

Denmark's foreign policy aims focus on "increasing international security and stability, ensuring the greatest possible economic progress and prosperity and promoting the respect for democracy, human rights and good governance."


A moderate constitutional monarchy, Denmark boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world. Occupying slightly less land than Vermont and New Hampshire combined, the Scandinavian country has a population of about 5.5 million.

Combining military, humanitarian and civilian measures, as well as peacemaking efforts, Denmark's foreign policy aims, according to its ministry of foreign affairs, focus on "increasing international security and stability, ensuring the greatest possible economic progress and prosperity and promoting the respect for democracy, human rights and good governance."

Denmark has been active in the fight against terrorism since the 2001 attacks on the United States, serving from 2005 to 2006 as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where it chaired the counterterrorism committee and helped form the peacebuilding commission.

Denmark continues to work actively with the European Union, NATO, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, as well as with its Nordic neighbors, in order to strengthen those coalitions. Through NATO's U.N.-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Denmark has sent troops to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Denmark was one of the first countries to join Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and currently has about 750 soldiers in Afghanistan, concentrated in Helmand province.


Photo Caption: A scene from Armadillo  
Credit: Lars Skree

Sources:
» Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. "Danish Participation in International Operations."
» U.S. Department of State. "Background Note: Denmark"