In a newly released report, the Swedish government has assessed its two decades of involvement in Afghanistan, highlighting key lessons from its extensive engagement while acknowledging the bleak current state of the country.
The report, titled “Experiences and Lessons Learned: Sweden in Afghanistan 2001–2021,” emphasizes that after 20 years of international efforts, there are “few hopeful signs” for Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls.
From 2001 to 2021, the report says Sweden played a significant role in Afghanistan, contributing through humanitarian aid, civil society support, and military participation in NATO-led missions. Thousands of Swedes worked in the country, often in dangerous conditions, with six Swedish nationals and two Afghan interpreters losing their lives during the mission, the report says.
The report reflects on Sweden’s efforts to improve living conditions and support Afghan institutions. It underscores the challenges faced, including shifting global priorities and the eventual collapse of Afghanistan’s republican government in August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power.
The report says the Taliban’s resurgence marked the rollback of many of the gains achieved during Sweden’s 20-year engagement.
The report highlights the particularly dire situation for Afghan women and girls, who face severe restrictions on education, work, and basic freedoms. It also notes that Afghanistan has largely fallen off the international agenda as global attention shifts to other crises.
Key findings
The report says Sweden’s efforts, which included humanitarian aid, development projects, and military engagement, were among its most extensive international undertakings.
Over 9,500 Swedish Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. Sweden also contributed SEK 14.7 billion in development assistance, focusing on education, health, gender equality, and infrastructure, the report says.
The report highlights a lack of clear, realistic goals throughout Sweden’s engagement. Objectives often reflected “wishful thinking” rather than a pragmatic understanding of Afghanistan’s complex social and political context.
The report says Sweden made notable contributions to healthcare and education, particularly for women and girls. Progress included increased school attendance and healthcare access, often through partnerships with organizations like the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA). However, these gains remain vulnerable under Taliban rule.
The report says Sweden’s military contributions, including participation in NATO-led operations, initially helped maintain regional stability but failed to achieve lasting security. Corruption, weak governance, and a lack of Afghan ownership hindered efforts to build sustainable state institutions.
The report says advancing gender equality was a priority, with nearly 90% of Sweden’s development programs targeting this goal. While some progress was made, particularly in urban areas, the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has erased many of these achievements.
According to the report, Sweden successfully evacuated nearly 2,000 individuals during the chaotic withdrawal following the Taliban takeover, including Swedish citizens, local staff, and those in need of protection. The report commended the operation’s results despite its delayed start and significant logistical challenges.
The report outlines six key areas of reflection for future international engagements:
Insufficient knowledge of Afghan society and its regional dynamics undermined international strategies. Sweden emphasized the need for deeper cultural and historical awareness in future missions.
While Sweden played an active role in governance and policy discussions, global efforts in Afghanistan were poorly coordinated, limiting their effectiveness.
The report says that clear, adaptable, and well-communicated objectives are critical for success. The absence of these hindered Sweden’s ability to measure and achieve long-term outcomes.
National ownership and realistic timelines are essential for lasting change. Sweden’s contributions lacked sufficient local buy-in, reducing their long-term impact.
The report says that greater investment in preparatory training, resources, and continuity for personnel in leadership roles would have improved the execution of Swedish efforts.
The report stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and a willingness to adjust strategies based on emerging realities.
The report concludes that while Sweden’s engagement improved the lives of millions of Afghans—particularly in education and healthcare—the overall mission fell short of its broader objectives. The Taliban’s return to power marked a significant setback, erasing much of the progress made over two decades, the report added.
