The comparison is certainly relevant, but I disagree with the lessons you want to draw. What we saw in Iraq was just how willing the Americans are to escalate i

The comparison is certainly relevant, but I disagree with the lessons you want to draw. What we saw in Iraq was just how willing the Americans are to escalate into a major war with no provocation or, indeed, prospect of gain. It is quite significant that they don't feel they are able to pull the same sort of mindless violence against Russia - we've put bounds on what the US military is capable of. It can handle a small naiton like Iraq, it can't manage Russia and given that they seem to be balking at an Iran invasion they are probably anchored somewhere around there before their ability to directly confront a nation runs out. Also notice that the US was in a much more dominant international position 20 years ago. They had a level of moral and economic leadership that they ceded through the early part of the 21st century - the moral part mainly because of the thuggery in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we had a replay we might discover that they can't even handle Iraq any more, I doubt the Russia & the Asians would take it on the chin quite so willingly.