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"Look for russian defense spending to double..."

I agree with you. Putin has to be quaking in his KGB boots. GW-I did not reveal to the world what our military strength is today, and Afganistan only revealed glimpses. Putin, I am sure, expected Saddam and his Republican Guard to make things very difficult for us. His retired Generals were advising the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's were armed with mostly all Russian stuff.

Looking back, now, Putin can contrast the Russian quagmire (that nasty word applies in this case) in Afganistan to our gaining decisive control there against the same enemy, in a relatively short time. The world now can do the same. What the world now sees is a Russian Teddy Bear, soft and furry (though I would not add cuddly, except as perceived by the French and Germans) with a feeble growl and a feeble bite.

"Putin, I am sure, expected Saddam and his Republican Guard to make things very difficult for us. His retired Generals were advising the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's were armed with mostly all Russian stuff."

They also didn't take into account... the force and smell of sweet freedom! This is one of the reasons the Russians did so lousy in Afghanistan. Afghanistan wasn't buying whatever they were selling. Truth and freedom shine through.

His retired Generals were advising the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's were armed with mostly all Russian stuff. +++

Those generals wasn't his at all. They was former Soviet's. And they departed Iraq BEFORE war.

And Iraqis was armed with Soviet stuff. Plus some new russian's too which was smuggled there. But they was few.