More facts....Conducting 10 year long “compassionate wars” costing multiple trillions, thousands of lives and winning nothing is just not very impressive.
My point had nothing to do withy that. I agree with what you say...but Bush did accomplish much. The insurgency and Al Queada had been defeated and Iraq had held secure elections three times, developed and adopted a constitution, and was on the way to a stable society.
Then Obama undid all of that and was directly responsible for the development of ISIS in the aftermath of doing so.
My real point was simple.
What Putin is doing right now is a relatively light air campaign by any historical standard.
However, it is also apt to be is effective because it is coupled with large ground forces (Syrian and Iranian forces) who can take ground back from ISIS and who have at least decent air support while doing so.