The Situation Room with Jonas Friis: UN military observer Esben Thorseth on the challenges of modern peacekeeping operations

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