The examination of wars and conflicts of the twenty-first century immediately draws one to their culture and sectarian dimensions. The contributors to this volume reflect on the following fundamental questions; where and how is culture important in a national security and foreign policy context? Is cultural understanding important, or is it merely a fad? What constitutes cultural data? What frameworks should be used to analyze culture? What are the challenges of cultural data collection and application? Part I (encompassing chapters’ one through three) examines the theory to methodology of cul ... More

The examination of wars and conflicts of the twenty-first century immediately draws one to their culture and sectarian dimensions. The contributors to this volume reflect on the following fundamental questions; where and how is culture important in a national security and foreign policy context? Is cultural understanding important, or is it merely a fad? What constitutes cultural data? What frameworks should be used to analyze culture? What are the challenges of cultural data collection and application? Part I (encompassing chapters’ one through three) examines the theory to methodology of culture and conflict. Two formal intelligence disciplines, Cultural intelligence (CULINT) and ethnographic intelligence (ETHINT), and their incorporation into existing joint intelligence infrastructure are examined. Part II (encompassing chapters four through ten) takes us from methodology to practice, and addresses some of the lessons of Afghanistan. Here, the authors frame Taliban’s successful expansion into Pastuhn areas and the critical role religious authorities’ play in Afghanistan’s present conflict. The IO assessment tool is depicted, illustrating its various uses, most importantly, the ability to quantify the success or failure of an operation. This book draws on the research, analysis’s, and experiences of its scholars’ to conclude that the success of a country intending to invade and occupy another is in large part dependent on its fundamental knowledge and sensitivity to the relevant cultural processes and dynamics.