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The report examines the evolution of military institutions in Southern Africa, focusing on the transition from colonial forces to national armies. It details the impact of liberation struggles, civil wars, and regional destabilization on the structure, policy, and professionalism of militaries in countries including Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Key themes include the integration of former combatants, the shift toward democratic civilian control, and the role of regional bodies like SADC in peacekeeping and security cooperation.

The document analyzes Norway's involvement in Afghanistan, noting that while the initial 2001 justification was based on the NATO Article 5 security guarantee, the official rationale shifted over a decade toward preventing terrorism and promoting international solidarity. Norway's approach was characterized by a strict separation of military and civilian efforts, exemplified by the 'Norwegian Model' in the Faryab Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), where military commanders had no authority over aid allocation. Despite this, the engagement strained military resources and faced domestic skepticism, with some of the public believing participation increased the risk of terror attacks. The paper concludes that alliance dependence remained the primary driver of the engagement, even as the government rhetorically emphasized peacebuilding and state-building.