Funny that generals have stood on TV and refereed to Stan is middle east. I guess you don’t understand the concept of a catch all term.
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.