NOU 2025: 9 Defeat – Norway in Afghanistan 2015–2021

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The Taliban's seizure of power in August 2021 marked the defeat of 20 years of international and Norwegian engagement in Afghanistan.

The Commission evaluates Norway's civilian and military engagement in Afghanistan in the period 2015–2021, including the evacuation from Kabul.

Building on the work of Norway’s first Commission on Afghanistan, also this Commission has assessed Norway's efforts against three objectives: to be a good ally, to contribute to the international fight against terrorism, and to help build a democratic Afghan state. Norway sought to achieve these objectives through peace diplomacy, military contributions, and development aid.

The Commission’s report examines five topics in depth: aid, peace diplomacy, military contributions, the evacuation from Kabul, and the follow-up of Norwegian personnel, local employees, and others with ties to Norway.

Peace diplomacy was the area in which Norway came closest to making a difference to developments in Afghanistan, as the previous Commission also concluded for the years 2001–2014. In the big picture, however, Norway's efforts did not influence the outcome of the conflict.

The Commission points to lessons learned for the planning, organisation, and implementation of future Norwegian contributions to international operations, development aid, peace diplomacy, as well as crisis preparedness and management. The report also points to lessons for the follow-up of Norwegian civilian and military personnel and their families, as well as local employees and others with ties to Norway in conflict areas.

The Commission has in its work drawn on the assessments and conclusions of the first Afghanistan Commission’s report, NOU 2016: 8 A Good Ally: Norway in Afghanistan 2001–2014.

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