About Article

In August 2021, Western troops withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. This article studies how the war was ascribed meaning in public debates in Norway, Sweden and Denmark and whether their self-image as do-gooders was disrupted in the immediate aftermath. An analysis of a selection of media articles illustrates that the war was primarily framed as a failed nation-building effort. In addition, frames that were less predominant and at times contradictory are found to have emphasized (1) contributing to social development or to inflict suffering in Afghanistan, (2) succeeding or failing to combat terrorism internationally and (3) enhancing national security and military professionalism at home. The article contends that this meaning-making contributed to upholding the Scandinavian do-gooder self-image through silences. By omitting the use of violence and ascribing mission failure to the US, NATO and the West in general, the Scandinavian countries’ role in the war was obscured.