Having spent a good wonderful year in Afghanistan, COIN isn't difficult (but don't get me wrong, it is aggravating), you pretty much have to understand how they fight, and hit them back, fast and hard. Having been on the ground, it's not going to make any difference whether it's an A-10 or an F-35 dropping a bomb, it still is the same fight. And the reason we suck at COIN is people are stuck in the conventional mindset. The world changes, you have to change with it. So the loss of two CVBGs? Yeah it'll make an impact some places, but overall, the F-35 being cut back isn't the end of the world, especially since now we're dealing with dudes wearing turbans in some valley. The Russian threat? Always been out there, and always will be, along with China, India, etc. But seriously, if Russia can't afford it's own toys, not likely the whole world will be flying Flankers with ultra maneuverability with advanced whatchamajigs either.