NOU 2016: 8
A Good Ally: Norway in Afghanistan 2001–2014
Report from the Committee appointed by Royal Decree on 21 November 2014.
Submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence on 6 June 2016
This is an English translation of the report of the Norwegian Commission on Afghanistan. The report is an overall assessment of the Norwegian civilian and military engagement in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. For Norway the engagement was demanding, yet the Norwegian contribution was a small part of a large international effort. The Commission evaluated the results of the engagement based on the three overarching Norwegian objectives: to support the United States and safeguard NATO’s continued relevance, to support the international fight against terror, and to help build a stable and democratic Afghanistan through long-term development cooperation and peace diplomacy. The report highlights three areas of particular relevance: The PRT in Faryab province, the combined effort of the Norwegian special forces and intelligence service, and Norwegian peace diplomacy. It draws lessons for future international engagements particularly in weak states.