I understand geography.
Afghanistan is not, nor has it ever been in the Middle East. It is Asia. More Central Asia.
Anyone who considers Korangal to be Middle East doesn’t understand how the Indian sub continent slammed into Asia. Different cultures, different races, and different environment.
If you think it’s so, go ahead and lump them altogether. I don’t care.
Take it up with the Pentagon. I don’t care either.
See “Catch all term”. You should know that one from Psyops classes at the War College.