Utilizing Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is an extremist organization operating within the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of northern Pakistan. The organization poses a significant threat to Pakistani sovereignty, and so far Pakistani military efforts to contain the TTP have been largely unsuccessful. This paper examines previous Pakistani efforts through the lens of counterinsurgency theory. It then argues Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) theory provides a viable alternative method to counter the TTP in FATA. CVE would be more inclusive of the traditional Pashtun tribal structure that is dominant in these areas, and implementing a CVE plan in Pakistan would allow for a stronger counterinsurgency operation because of this inclusivity.