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This article examines the role of the US government's perceptions in shaping the conflicts of Afghanistan and Iraq. It insists on the potency of universal values such as 'freedom': breaking the binds of tyranny is thus expected to trigger a spontaneous process of democratization -construed with Americanization- an assumption that forms the basis of a policy bent on society transformation while neglecting the very relevance of Nation Building. Both by letting loose local politics and structuring the political processes according to a simplistic understanding of the Iraqi and Afghan societies, the US triggered instead dynamics of fragmentation along sectarian and regional lines, yet paradoxically reinforced the preconceived categories on which they based their policies.

Gilles Dorronsoro, Professor of Political Science at the University of Paris 1-Panthéon Sorbonne, is Member of the Centre de recherches internationales de la Sorbonne (CRIS, Paris).
Peter Harling is Senior Analyst in charge of Iraq at the International Crisis Group (ICG), and Associated Research Fellow at the CRIS.