I don’t think stealth is as important as joint force operations are....stealth, as my understanding, was for a Cold War going hot...even though Syria has top notch radar now from Russia...should those systems fall into even worst hands...that’s when joint strike forces are the best...maybe the F-22 or F-35 can handle it ...or even the F-117, which is more of a bomber than a fighter...
F-15’s might be expensive - but having 2 guys sitting there working the issue out - IMHO - is better than this F-35..but yes, F-22 should have stayed...
The F117 isn’t active anymore is it? IMO its a combination of things but the F35 tries to be all things to all people, a sure recipe for failure.