This thesis reviews the history of Afghanistan and the current counterinsurgency strategy. Military and political leaders ignored cultural and religious affairs inherent to the country in their planning of the invasion after the events of 9-11. This paper goes on to highlight the unique factors of the country that make it a difficult environment for conventional military operations and how specifically to identify and work within the majority Pashtun population to find alternative and grassroots solutions to the insurgency. This thesis argues that identifying and empowering actors in the conflict such as non-governmental organizations and ground level commanders, is the best way to implement a counterinsurgency plan and thereby develop and implement ground-up solutions. In conclusion, the paper outlines why in a successful counterinsurgency environment human security and basic human needs have priority before larger, more abstracts goal such as elections and governmental capacity.