In April 2009, I spend eight days in Afghanistan on assignment for Berlingske. The trip was organized by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs who invited me to see 'the progress and rebuilding' of the war torn Helmand-province. I found the whole experience to be somehow surreal and felt myself surrounded by fear. The Afghans are living in fear from suicide bombs, oppression and poverty. But the conditions under which I worked were also a result of fear; In total, I didn't spend much more than a few hours outside of the military bases. When we finally went outside, I could only see the streets through the bulletproof glass in my fast driving armored convoy. And at all times I was closely surrounded by a group of though looking guys with machine guns. This photo essay tries to reflect that ambiance...