Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 The mpleI mentation of Governance to Counter Islamist Militancy in Pakistan's Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Province David Robert DiOrio Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Asian Studies Commons, Military and Veterans Studies Commons, Public Policy Commons, and the South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by David DiOrio has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Olivia Yu, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Stephen Morreale, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Kristie Roberts, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract The Implementation of Governance to Counter Islamist Militancy in Pakistan’s Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Province by David R. DiOrio MA, United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, 1995 BS, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1983 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University March 2016 Abstract Militancy inspired by Islamists is escalating globally, and government action is necessary to protect vulnerable populations. Security professionals generally agree that governance may complement the use of force to defeat militants; however, current doctrine does not address the concurrent integration of governance in a comprehensive strategy. This interpretive case study explored Pakistan’s application of governance during the 2009 Khyber operation in Swat Valley, code-named Operation Rah-e-Rast. The central research question focused on how governance activities were integrated with military operations to subdue militancy. Data were collected through interviews with 6 planners, Pakistani secondary source survey data, and government artifacts. Data were inductively coded using a progressive axial coding process and validated through methodological triangulation. Data were then analyzed using a case study analytical model, grounded in neo-Clausewitzian theoretical principles, to derive key themes. Key findings indicate that an interministry collaborative approach to regain the public trust was more effective in placating violence than was solely using military action. Sound governance, enabled by strategic communications and intelligence, fostered tribal relationships that promoted confidence and undermined the militant support base. The civil-military planning protocols were successful, but mainly ad-hoc and suboptimized. Formal training, standing civil-military planning forums, and planning process improvements stemming from the Pakistan experience could instill social change by assisting national leaders in developing a cogent countermilitancy strategy to defeat the global Islamist movement. The Implementation of Governance to Counter Islamist Militancy in Pakistan’s Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Province by David R. DiOrio MA, United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, 1995 BS, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1983 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University March 2016 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to men and women of the United States and Pakistani armed forces who have given their lives in the service of their country to defeat Islamist militancy. This study is also dedicated to the many innocent Pakistanis who lost their lives during Operation Rah-e-Rast in the spring of 2009. From their sacrifice we gained an understanding of Islamist inspired violence so that others may live free of fear and tyranny. Acknowledgments A heartfelt thank you to my dissertation committee chair, Dr. Olivia Yu, and committee members, Dr. Stephen Morreale, and Dr. Kristie Roberts, for their support, guidance, and assistance. I would also like to express my gratitude to the editing staff, Dr. Tanya Settles and Ms. Dayna Herrington. A sincere appreciation and thanks goes to my United States and Pakistani military colleagues who promoted frank discussions, provided candid perspectives, and encouraged me to tell the Swat Valley story. Your dedication and professionalism are an inspiration for all who serve in uniform or dedicate themselves to public service. To my wife Maria, thank you for your steadfast encouragement throughout my doctoral journey. I could not have succeeded in this endeavor without your unwavering support and love. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Major Sections of Chapter 1 ..........................................................................................7 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................7 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................10 Research Question .......................................................................................................12 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................12 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................15 Definitions of Terms ....................................................................................................17 Assumptions .................................................................................................................18 Research Scope ............................................................................................................21 Limitations and Delimitations ......................................................................................22 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................24 Summary ......................................................................................................................25 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................26 Introduction ..................................................................................................................26 The Research Problem .................................................................................................26 The Research Purpose ..................................................................................................27 Literature Review Content ...........................................................................................28 i Literature Review Strategy ..........................................................................................28 Review of Related Research ........................................................................................29 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................30 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................31 Neo-Clausewitzian Warfare Theory ..................................................................... 31 Emergence of Neo-Clausewitzian Warfare Theory .............................................. 32 Neo-Clausewitzian Theory and the Role of Governance ..................................... 36 Neo-Clausewitzian Theory Applied in the Pakistan Case .................................... 40 Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................43 Neo-Clausewitzian Trinity Analysis: The Pashtun ............................................... 43 Neo-Clausewitzian Trinity Analysis: The Islamic Republic of Pakistan ............. 47 Neo-Clausewitzian Trinity Analysis: Civil-Military Relationships ..................... 54 Neo-Clausewitzian Trinity Analysis: The Islamist Militants ............................... 57 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................67 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................71 Introduction ..................................................................................................................71