I think I can disagree without much contradiction on Afghanistan, and with not much less on Iraq.

Iraq is Kurdish, Shiite and Sunni more than it is Iraq. There isn't a lot of nationalism and it takes a strong, ruthless dictator to hold that artificial conglomeration together.

Afghanistan is even less nationalistic in the sense Americans think of it. Their only loyalties are to their tribes, and they will kill anyone or thing which tries to take territory, or subvert their tribe's interests for a greater good.

They didn't even band together to fight the Soviets. The individual tribes carried on individual wars. "The Bear Trap" is a book by the Pakistani general who funneled military aid provided by the Saudis, Chinese and Americans to the various tribes.

(For an interesting read, research what happened to Soviet POWs captured by Afghanis. It's the moral equivalent of what the French do to Ortulan Buntings.)