In 77 the opium highway was jollying right along until the communist led government tried to cut into the profits. Russia and Britain have long plyed Mullahs vs the Warlords in that area from the early 1800's. Afghanistan then and now is the same cluster of fiercly held stone forts with local autocratic rulers who loathe any form of outside interference, with banditry and extortion being the main source of revenue.
The only time they bind together is to throw out any occupying power. With that said a weak central government is about as far as they can get.
thanx,
bill