Transferring Responsibility for Security in Afghanistan : Norwegian Officers' Challenges when Cooperating with the Afghan National Security Forces

Abstract

This thesis analyses the challenges Norwegian officers face in their work of handling the responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Afghan National Security Forces. By reviewing literature on state-building in war-torn societies and literature on military advising, the study categorizes the potential challenges into ethical dilemmas, challenges of competence of the outside force and the situation in the area of operations, and cultural challenges of living and operating close to indigenous people. Qualitative interviews of ten Norwegian officers who have worked closely with Afghan forces are analysed. The study shows that despite the many challenges described in literature, few are perceived as insurmountable problems for Norwegian officers, with the exception of cases where civilian lives are at risk because of illegal or unethical behaviour by the Afghan forces. The study argues that the dilemma of treating civilians unethically seems to cause the biggest challenges in these operations. Further, it indicates that literature on state-building operations underestimates the ethical challenges of having to support and legitimate the actions of indigenous forces, especially when it comes to protecting civilians. The study also indicates that there is a discrepancy between the literature and the field of practice investigated, and that Norwegian officers prefer such operations in Afghanistan rather than peace building missions with lower intensity and a less recognizable role.