[pjc50]

That wasn't due to lack of US force projection though - it was due to the Cold War realities of whether or not to escalate a conflict with another nuclear-armed country.

(Plus the influence of Russian money in US politics; it's much cheaper to bribe the US not to fight back!)

[Baeocystin]

Not that I particularly disagree with your statement, but my point was more that if Ukraine itself had a more effective military force, this wouldn't have been something Russia could have done in the first place. Military strength matters. For us, and for everyone else.