"The "iron fist" COIN path, focused primarily on eliminating the insurgent threat, is historically less successful. A motive-based path (one that focuses on eliminating the incentives to support or participate in an insurgency) has been much more successful."
Fortunately there's been detailed study of counterinsurgency since the end of WW2, looking for the most effective strategies, e.g.: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR291z2.html
"The "iron fist" COIN path, focused primarily on eliminating the insurgent threat, is historically less successful. A motive-based path (one that focuses on eliminating the incentives to support or participate in an insurgency) has been much more successful."