This study investigates the representation of the Iraqi population by three Swedish newspapers with an underlying aim to explore the portrayed casus belli of the invasion, such as the representation of power dynamics. The following research questions have been adopted to follow the aim. How are Iraqis represented in Swedish news magazines during the selected time frame? How do Swedish news magazines portray the justification of the invasion? How is power within the war acknowledged in Swedish news magazines? The methodological framework from which this study will operate is thematic analysis. Data is derived from twelve articles from Swedish newspapers, chosen based on a systematic search of databases for archives of journalistic work, using specific keywords related to the research questions. The analysis follows a thematic analytical scheme and is informed by theoretical concepts of Orientalism and Global Journalism. The findings show that Iraqis are mainly portrayed as dangerous, evil, and prone to commit violent crimes. Additionally, findings show that they are portrayed as victims in the war, however, to a lesser extent. Justification is portrayed as a narrative of the American state´s right to defense against terrorism, and power is acknowledged through uneven global power dynamics, with the exception of power dynamics on the battlefield.