"Jackson's book is essential readings for scholars and practitioners who wish to better understand the central role that populations play in shaping insurgencies and their outcomes." -- Dr. Heather S. Gregg,, research professor of military strategy andpolicy, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College, US Army War College Press "This is a work of outstanding scholarship. The first-hand data collected rigorously by the author makes this book an original contribution to the literature on the politics and operation of armed non-state actors. Vivid and compelling"-- Barnett Rubin, Senior Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, and author of Afghanistan from the Cold War through the War on Terror "Negotiating Survivalis the first text to cover the topic of how civilians have been bargaining with insurgents in Afghanistan. Rich in empirical material and comprehensively sourced, it is original, ambitious, and convincing."-- Antonio Giustozzi, Visiting Professor, King's College London, and author of The Taliban at War: 2001-2018 "An exploration of the political landscape in Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan, led by an intrepid scholar with an eye for details and their analytical implications.

Essential reading at a critical juncture in the country's history."-- Astri Suhrke, Researcher Emeritas, Chr. Michelsen Institute, and author of When More is Less. The International Project in Afghanistan "In this sensitive, bottom-up account, Jackson reveals the everyday tightrope walk that the civilian population and their leadership in Afghanistan have to undertake with the dreaded Taliban in order to stay relevant. A masterly study of the art of negotiation."-- Amalendu Misra, Senior Lecturer, Lancaster University, and author of Afghanistan: The Labyrinth of Violence.