Pashtunwali is an ancient ethical code followed by the Pashtun people in Afghanistan. It is this code that compels Mohammad Gulab to rescue and protect Luttrell. In Lone Survivor, Pashtunwali serves as a cultural foundation that informs and impacts the narrative. It provides an alternative viewpoint on ethics and morality, distinct from the Western perspective, adding layers of cultural nuance. In the book, it plays a pivotal role in affecting the actions of key characters and thus, the outcome of events.

In Lone Survivor, Luttrell finds himself questioning the rules of engagement, particularly when he has to decide the fate of the goat herders that stumble upon him and his SEAL team. This term becomes a lens through which the book explores the ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers, laying bare the complexities and often contradictory guidelines that can either protect or endanger lives. Luttrell uses his personal experiences to challenge readers’ perceptions of what these rules mean on the ground, as opposed to in a legal or theoretical setting.