Human Geography in the Afghanistan - Pakistan Region: Undermining the Taliban Using Traditional Pashtun Social Structures

Abstract

The Taliban is a largely Pashtun insurgent movement operating throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan. Much of its ideology is based on Saudi Arabian-influenced Wahabbist thought, and as such is alien to Pashtun culture. It is in direct conflict with the traditional Pashtun social code of Pashtunwali and has subverted the traditional tribal structure of the Pashtun. Coalition Forces should support and strengthen traditional Pashtun tribal leaders and their traditional social structure in Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to isolate the Taliban insurgency, enabling the achievement of Coalition end state objectives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 04, 2009
Accession Number
ADA502894

Entities

People

  • John H. Cathell

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan
  • Asia
  • Central Asia
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Human Geography
  • Insurgency
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • National Governments
  • New York
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Sociology

Readers

  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.