Which aspect is NOT part of the 'hearts and minds' strategy?

The 'hearts and minds' strategy is fundamentally about winning the support and trust of the local population, particularly in conflict or post-conflict environments. This approach emphasizes positive engagement with civilians and prioritizes their needs and concerns. It involves initiatives that support community welfare, build trust, and encourage cooperation between military forces and local communities.

Using military force for compliance fundamentally contradicts the essence of this strategy. It can create resentment and fear among the civilian population, which undermines trust and cooperation rather than fostering it. Effective hearts and minds efforts rely on addressing grievances and building relationships through understanding and support, not through coercion or aggression. Therefore, the notion of employing military force as a means to achieve compliance is clearly outside the framework of the hearts and minds strategy.