Welcome back to The Situation Room – a special bonus series from The Danish Connection presented by Jonas Friis.

Jonas is a Danish naval officer with thirteen years of military experience. Aside from that, he is interested in investigating, understanding and speaking about the Danish military and its place in the global defence context.

This week, Jonas sits down with Esben Thorseth - a Danish naval officer with experience both in active service and as a UN military observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).

They discuss Esben’s time as a UN observer in the Middle East (Israel and Syria), his reflections on UN missions abroad and how multinational peace operations actually work, and some of the structural challenges that affect recruitment and retention of young officers - especially as they begin to build families.

More from Esben Thorseth:

Debate/Opinion in Politiken:

https://politiken.dk/debat/debatindlaeg/art10671835/Far-Hvorfor-skal-mine-b%C3%B8rn-betale-for-Caroline-Storr-Kroghs-frihed

Jyllands Posten article on reflections after service in Israel/Syria and fatherhood:

https://jyllands-posten.dk/debat/breve/ECE18307488/jeg-har-fulgt-mine-venner-blive-foraeldre-og-det-skraemmer-mig-ikke-som-kommende-far-men/

Berlingske column/report about his UN mission

https://qoshe.com/berlingske/esben-thorseth/esben-thorseth-var-udsendt-i-israel-og-syrien-nu-vender-han-hjem-med-en-sandhed-der-er-sv-r-at-/187081358 QOSHE

Frontlinjen Podcast discussing defence personnel issues


https://podcasts.apple.com/mx/podcast/forsvaret-er-ikke-indrettet-til-unge-officerer/id1527238679?i=1000736253472

In collaboration with The Copenhagen Post

This week on The Danish Connection:

Rachel talks about the disturbing international fertility case linked to the European Sperm Bank in Denmark, where sperm from a single donor carrying a cancer-causing genetic mutation was used to conceive nearly 200 children across Europe. She looks into what this could mean for the future of cross-border fertility treatment and why Denmark plays such a central role in this industry.

Melissa breaks down Denmark’s leading role, alongside Italy and 25 other countries, in pushing for a reinterpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to migration and deportation. She talks about the proposed changes, why other European leaders have been ‘inspired’ by Denmark’s hardline migration policies and what this could mean for migrants seeking refuge in Europe.

Rachel looks into Denmark’s decision to compensate thousands of Greenlandic women and girls who were subjected to forced contraception for decades. 

Melissa talks about the government’s proposal to extend Denmark’s face covering ban to schools and universities.

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!

Death is a part of life - but how do Danes deal with it?

Welcome back to another episode of Stories from the Streets with Maria Pagola - a special bonus series from The Danish Connection where we take to the streets of Copenhagen to find out what Danes and Internationals really think about some of life's biggest issues.

This week, we're uncovering the cultural and practical aspects of death in Denmark, and asking the question: is it cheaper to rent or to die in Denmark?

On Tuesday, a historic number of international citizens voted in the local and regional elections in Denmark.

Now, the results are in, and we’re here (as always) to help you make sense of it all.

Rachel sits down with:

Bernardo Basilici Menini, Editor-in-Chief of the English language news outletThe Copenhagen Post which covered the elections extensively

NicolasButInEnglish, a democratic activist who has inspired many internationals to vote through his social media videos, where he has provided essential information in English on parties, candidates and the intricacies of the Danish political system.

Together, we break down the results, what they reveal about Denmark’s political future, and how they will affect international citizens living here.

As always, you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or by simply clicking the link in our bio.

Remember - this is your place to share questions, opinions, and stories about the immigrant experience in Denmark, and we want to hear from you.

Do you have a story about your voting experience? We would love to hear about it! Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at [email protected] if you have a story you'd like to contribute.

If you enjoyed this episode and think it could be useful for someone you know, please share it with them!

This week on The Danish Connection:

💊 We discuss the Danish government’s plan to invest DKK 160 million in a new National Centre for Research in Women’s Health.

🛂 We talk about Mette Frederiksen’s latest Facebook post where she warned of further restrictions on immigration, saying newcomers must accept ‘core Danish values’ and that the flow of international students moving to Denmark and working in the service industry must be stopped.

🏥 We look into why Denmark has halted residence permits for foreign-trained nurses until 2027, citing no current shortage. While officials see it as practical, many internationals already in the country are left uncertain about their future and Denmark’s changing labour market.

🗳️ On November 18, 2025, Denmark holds local and regional elections and half a million internationals are eligible to vote. With key debates over housing, sustainability and healthcare, we give you some practical advice on how to place your vote and what events you can attend to get more informed.

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!

This week on The Danish Connection:

Melissa explores the citizenship controversy surrounding a Muslim leader denied Danish citizenship despite meeting all legal criteria. Lawmakers cited “values incompatible with Danish principles,” sparking a debate over religious freedom, democracy and increasing restrictions around citizenship in Denmark.

Rachel breaks down the Mink Scandal - the controversy that just won’t go away for Mette Frederiksen. Five years after the illegal culling of 17 million mink during the pandemic, new revelations suggest the government may not have been fully transparent about deleted text messages tied to that decision. With billions in taxpayer compensation going to the mink farmers, new calls for an independent inquiry and a possible impeachment, what does this mean for the Prime Minister's future in the Folketing?

Melissa unpacks a new report that reveals nearly 49% of species and 77% of habitats in Denmark are in a state scientists describe as ‘highly unfavourable’. Yet, the Ministry for the Green Tripartite seems to be telling the EU a different story. Can Denmark claim green leadership while ignoring its own data?

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!

This week on The Danish Connection:

Eva unpacks the mysterious drone incidents that shut down Danish airports and raised national security alarms. Who is behind them, why is the Prime Minister receiving criticism for how it was handled and was it discussed among EU leaders at the summit that took place in Copenhagen this week?

Rachel dives into Denmark’s upcoming local and regional elections, taking place on November 18th, 2025. Half a million internationals are eligible to vote, making up 10% of all voters in Denmark. Yet, turnout among internationals is still much lower than among Danes. She explains why this gap matters, how internationals can make their voices heard and gives you all the practical information you need to go and vote.

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!

Welcome back to another edition of Stories from the Streets with Maria Pagola - a bonus series from The Danish Connection where you get the chance to hear the unfiltered voices of Copenhagen speaking about the big topics, the small details, and everything in between. 

In this episode, Maria discusses the many layers of meaning behind Denmark’s most basic commodity: Water

Is it safe to drink it, is it ok to swim in it, and why does it hold so much cultural significance for Danes? In this episode she takes to the streets of Copenhagen to find out.

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!

This week on The Danish Connection, we’re digging into three huge stories that reveal the darker sides of public figures, education systems, and women’s safety in Denmark:

🇩🇰 Eva breaks down the shocking case of former Social Democrats minister Henrik Sass Larsen, who has been convicted of possessing thousands of child sexual abuse materials, and why his prison sentence has caused public outrage.

🎓 Rachel investigates how Roskilde University (RUC) filled its financial gap by enrolling fee-paying students from Bangladesh and Nepal, despite knowing many would struggle academically. Was this a lifeline for the university, or a scandal that undermines trust in Denmark’s higher education system and the ministry for it?

⚖️ Melissa unpacks the murder of a woman by her ex-partner in Odense that has reignited a debate on femicide, intimate partner violence, and whether Danish authorities are doing enough to protect women at risk.

We also talk about the prime minister's apology regarding the infamous spiral case and the Novo Nordisk layoffs.

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!

Welcome back to The Situation Room.

This week, Jonas Friis is joined by Sine Plambech -anthropologist, author, filmmaker, and Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS). Her work spans migration, smuggling, trafficking, and the sex industry, taking her deep into migrant communities, border zones, red-light districts, and along migration routes across West Africa, Asia, Europe’s southern frontier, and Denmark.

Together, Jonas and Sine take on the pressing theme of “European Border Policies and Migration.” They begin by looking at how Denmark is adjusting politically, before turning to Sine’s research and first-hand experiences from the Mediterranean, alongside Jonas’ own reflections from his work with Frontex on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Melissa also share her thoughts and experiences in the Mediterranean