The Program for Culture & Conflict Studies is premised on the belief that the United States must understand the cultures and societies of the world to effectively interact with local people. It is dedicated to the study of anthropological, ethnographic, social, political, and economic data to inform US policies at both the strategic and operational levels.
CCS is the result of a collaborative effort to provide current open source information to Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT), mission commanders, academics, and the general public. Covering tribes, politics, trends, and people, this website - a 21st century gazetteer, provides data, analysis, and maps not available anywhere else.
CCS Research
The Program for Culture & Conflict Studies collects, organizes, and disseminates anthropological data for the purpose of better preparing individuals and organizations in pursing relationships with other cultures. Our studies include:
CCS Occasional Paper Series seeks to further the education and discussion of issues pertaining to culture and conflict in South and Central Asia. CCS disseminates scholarly essays on a bi-monthly basis that attempt to contribute to the creation of a more stable environment in Afghanistan. These papers identify and discuss contemporary and interdisciplinary issues that affect US national security interests including politics, economics, ethnographic intelligence, culture, geostrategic interests, national and local development methods, regional and cooperative security, terrorism, and tribal relations. CCS papers are written by faculty and staff members of the Naval Postgraduate School, alumni, or by individual contributors.
CCS Occasional Paper series can be emailed to appropriate .mil email addresses. To receive a copy of any or all of our occasional papers please contact us at ccsinfo@nps.edu or if you would like to contact Professor Thomas H. Johnson: thjohnso@nps.edu. Our papers include:
• The Perception of Colors, Numbers, and Language Among Afghans-The purpose of this study is to provide cultural information operationally relevant to troops and information operators on the ground. For instance, some colors and numbers may have connotations different from, and even opposite to how Americans perceive or value them. Idiomatic expressions and proverbs also constitute important communication tools for expressing complex ideas and deeper thoughts. Comprehension of these cultural traits equips us with tools necessary for communicating effectively with the Afghans.
• Operational Pashtunwali-This paper on "Operational Pashtunwali" is a slight departure from our previous CCS papers. In response to innumerable requests, we have created a tactical product specifically for squad leaders, platoon sergeants, platoon leaders and company commanders that explains the culture of the Afghan south and how to use it in tactical operations. We hope this paper answers the requests, by explaining how the "code" of the Pashtun people can be used both for force protection and as an offensive force multiplier.
• Analysis of the Taliban Code of Conduct- This paper on the Taliban’s “code of conduct” offers valuable insight regarding the Taliban’s objectives and key strategies, their attempt at consolidating the movement at the tactical and operational level, and reveals overt and concealed clues into the psyche of the Taliban leadership; highlighting its weaknesses, fears and vulnerabilities. The intention of this paper is to uncover and help exploit cracks found in the Taliban’s organizational structure as well at its operational mode, enhancing the Coalition’s IO-PSYOP arsenal and helping in the creation of effective messaging campaigns targeting the Taliban infrastructure.
• Why Poetry Matter to Afghans- Understanding enemy "narratives" requires further knowledge of cultural tropes and values, such as poetry, which will inevitably help western forces compete with or counterbalance the insurgent domination of the IO battleground. Operational examples of analyzed poetry are given throughout this document, including pertinent uses within the counter-IED and counternarcotics realm. Additionally, a primer into how Afghan insurgent forces, such as the Taliban and the Tora Bora Military Front, operationalize poetry and create narratives that resonate with Afghan society is also included. It is with this approach that the CCS hopes to provide the necessary tools and analysis to stimulate US and Coalition forces' attempt to dislodge the insurgent stranglehold on the IO realm and to better enhance allied communication with our Afghan counterparts and citizens.
Material contained herein is made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.
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