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Halsne, Sigbjørn (2018) the Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove: the Application of Classic Counterinsurgency Theory in Afghanistan 2006-2010

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Halsne, Sigbjørn (2018) the Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove: the Application of Classic Counterinsurgency Theory in Afghanistan 2006-2010 Halsne, Sigbjørn (2018) The iron fist in the velvet glove: the application of classic counterinsurgency theory in Afghanistan 2006-2010. PhD thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/73007/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] The Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove The Application of Classic Counterinsurgency Theory in Afghanistan 2006-10 Sigbjørn Halsne Submitted in the fulfilment of requirements for PhD in War Studies School of humanities College of Arts University of Glasgow October 2018 1 Abstract This thesis examines the soundness of the claim that counterinsurgency theory is no longer valid based on the experiences from Afghanistan. It does so by analysing to which degree three members of the coalition adhered to the theories of counterinsurgency in their operations between 2006-2010. Initially the thesis examines classic counterinsurgency theory. It argues that this theory is mainly characterised by a primacy of politics, that the population is the centre of gravity and a concerted government effort. I further analyses the efforts of Norway, Great Britain and the Netherlands within the framework of classic counterinsurgency theory. In sum, this thesis argues the Afghan case demonstrates that classic counterinsurgency theory is not outmoded. Of the three states studied in this thesis, only the Netherlands can be said to have adhered to counterinsurgency theory in the execution of the mission. 2 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................ 2 List of figures and maps ......................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... 6 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 7 Research question.................................................................................................................. 11 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 12 Sources ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Scope .................................................................................................................................... 18 Outline .................................................................................................................................. 18 Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 19 Levels of analysis ................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER ONE: THE THEORY OF CLASSIC COUNTERINSURGENCY .......................... 24 The primacy of politics ........................................................................................................... 27 The population as centre of gravity ........................................................................................ 33 Limited use of force in relation to the political objective ............................................................ 42 A concerted government effort .............................................................................................. 50 From theory to practice .......................................................................................................... 56 Implementing a primacy of politics .............................................................................................. 57 Implementing the population as the centre of gravity ................................................................ 57 Implementing a concerted government effort ............................................................................ 57 Summary of counterinsurgency theory ................................................................................... 58 CHAPTER TWO: THE CASE OF NORWAY ................................................................ 61 Background ........................................................................................................................... 61 Other research on Norway in Afghanistan .............................................................................. 62 Counterinsurgency doctrine and education ............................................................................. 64 The Primacy of Politics ........................................................................................................... 65 Strategic view ............................................................................................................................... 66 A primacy of politics? ................................................................................................................... 77 The population as the center of gravity .................................................................................. 78 Strategic view ............................................................................................................................... 79 Tactical view ................................................................................................................................. 81 A concerted government effort .............................................................................................. 88 Strategic view, the “Norwegian model” ....................................................................................... 89 Tactical view ................................................................................................................................. 97 The Norwegian approach ..................................................................................................... 100 CHAPTER THREE: THE CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN .................................................. 103 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 103 Background and history of COIN ........................................................................................... 104 Doctrine, education and training .......................................................................................... 106 2001 doctrine ............................................................................................................................. 107 2009 doctrine ............................................................................................................................. 109 Military training and education in counterinsurgency ............................................................... 112 Summary training and doctrine ................................................................................................. 113 The primacy of politics ......................................................................................................... 114 Strategic view ............................................................................................................................. 114 Tactical view ............................................................................................................................... 123 3 The population as centre of gravity ...................................................................................... 129 Strategic view ............................................................................................................................. 130 Tactical view ............................................................................................................................... 131 A concerted government effort ............................................................................................ 147 Strategic view ............................................................................................................................. 148 Tactical view ............................................................................................................................... 151 The British approach ............................................................................................................ 156 CHAPTER FOUR: THE CASE OF THE NETHERLANDS .............................................. 158 Background and history of counterinsurgency ...................................................................... 158 Dutch counterinsurgency history ............................................................................................... 159 Doctrinal framework ............................................................................................................ 161 The primacy of politics ........................................................................................................
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