Military activism is a defining characteristic of Denmark’s security and defence policy. This policy reflects the combination of increased international demand for military engagement since the end of the Cold War and the ability and willingness of Danish decision-makers to meet this demand. Danish willingness is the result of a merger of two distinct Danish perspectives on the aims and means of security and defence policy of a small state, one focused on the short-term military defence of the country, the other on long-term diplomatic efforts at creating a more peaceful international order. In the eyes of Danish decision-makers, a changed security order after the Cold War collapsed the distinction between the two perspectives. They saw military activism as a route to short-term security as well as a more peaceful order in the future. Consequently, they reformed the Danish armed forces, giving up territorial defence in favour of expeditionary forces. However, defence expenditure remains well below the 2 percent NATO threshold for the near future.