Isn't it true about Afghanistan in 1999 and probably now too?
A lack of military projection doesn't mean that your country can go in and rout out all insurgency. It just means that Afghanistan isn't going to be able to wage war on US soil from Afghanistan.
I'll take "things people said about Afghanistan in 1999" for 400!
Just to be clear, I fully agree with your sentiment. Probably not Iran or any other foreign power.