In both Afghanistan and Iraq, the ruling parties were comprised of Sunni Muslims, prior to American invasion. In Afghanistan, Shias are the majority, in Iraq, they are the minority.

Afghanistan was a relatively multicultural society, with many different ethnic groups and languages. the Taliban (a Pakistani - controlled group)made an issue of religion and ethnicity by persecuting those who weren't Sunni Pashtuns. prior to that, while politics and wars were raging, different groups of people were still mingling, socialising and intermarrying, a sign that divisions were more political and religious than racial. one group excepted from this in country areas was the Hazaras, who have been persecuted for centuries.

In Iraq the minority Sunni Arabs dominated by brute force under Saddam. The most positive thing anyone could do there is get basic services happening again, like water and electricity. Just like Mussolini was remembered for getting the trains to run on time, under Saddam, people knew they could flush the toilets and turn the lights on.