> "What about Iraq and Afghanistan" is literally reasoning Vladimir Putin is using to invade Ukraine.
Why wouldn't he? The US provided him with a perfect template to justify his invasion.
People often forget that the consequences of current actions extend far into the future.
The current Ukraine-Russia conflict that will result in the re-militarization of Germany as well as the Chinese threat that led to the same thing happening in Japan will have similar consequences decades from now.[1]
[1] Why the US is no threat to China, but a remilitarised Japan, led by Shinzo Abe, may well be (https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2118257...)