Yeah, the Russians also though they'd occupy Ukraine and change the regime in Kyiv a matter of weeks. Meanwhile the war has been going on for 4 years.
The US totally botched Afghanistan, Libya and possibly Syria as well. I gueass another civil war is somehow better than rabid religious leaders who hate the US and Israel armed with nukes.
4 years with confirmed Crimea and 20% new land into Russia constitution. Tried and defeated every conventional American weapon. Assisted Iran to let them know how to jam starlink. Oreshnik? Against entire EU and standing much much stronger with 1-2M soldiers trained. Helped NKorea to be significantly stronger to pin down American troops in SKorea? Rise of Brics processing account siphoning 40% of swift volume making it now dark to western analyst? You ask anyone if that is a big lost. And take a look at Ukraine 2 generation of men gone especially the fertile one. This setup for Ukraine war 2 to finish the job 1-2 decades down the road (read how Chechen got tamed). American did that with Iraq 1 and Iraq 2 wars. I dont even know what is the outcome. While Americans drilling oil in Syria, China is deploying Thorium reactors right now. Meanwhile Americans is planning bigger sitting duck fleets that can wipe out by multiple Oreshnick that cost a few million dollars. The golden duck cost? Estimated 22B.
The US is increasingly emulating Russia in all the bad ways. I guess it won't be long before the state starts killing more political opponents here too.
The US totally botched Afghanistan, Libya and possibly Syria as well. I gueass another civil war is somehow better than rabid religious leaders who hate the US and Israel armed with nukes.