You've got all the (must do) solutions, bar one david; the one which compels Russia/Putin to join in with the rest of the civilised world to bring about planet saving cooperation and true and lasting peace in our time.

When you've worked out how to convert a power mad bloodthirsty dictator like Putin into cooperating for the greater good, please write another piece! We all await with baited breath trembling in anticipation of the next mighty tomb.

Perhaps you could care to carve that one in stone, and serve it with heaping helpings of bread and fish, and served from a single Putin impressing hand carried basket, so we'll finally know who the real author is?

For mine we have the enemies now in the middle east, that must be defeated, Assard, ISIL and an interfering Russia!

Let see how much resolve Russia has if the entire free world just tells them F off and stop interfering, and by the way give the patently purloined Crimea back to the Ukrainians!

Thus far and no farther!

What are we waiting for? Someone to be first to use nuclear weapons in the middle east?
Rhrosty.

Yes certainly

OPTION 1. UN forces should invade Syria, crush ISIS, and say Hello to Assad's dictatorship that runs Damascus, or

OPTION 2. UN Peacekeepers could keep the peace in Syria - if they can find it.

QUESTIONS FOR DAVID:

A. What part would Israel play in OPTIONS 1 or 2? and

B. Might not the UN be concerned about entering a warzone where IS does not play by diplomatic rules? Noting the UN was blown to bits, by radical Islamists in Iraq in 2003 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_Hotel_bombing ?

Putin has destroyed most the ISIS in Syria in just a few weeks. Let him finish the job the West refused to do.

If you are wondering why the West is feeling a tad humble read this; http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article43531.htm Russia has far more advanced weapon systems than us and more are about to be revealed.

Is becoming well recognised that Islamic State is basically a creation of other countries to fight their proxy wars. Especially the USA, UK, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar who have been caught out supporting IS. Seems some truth in comments I recently saw from a US academic commentator describing it as America's Foreign Legion. Its aim is to destabilise the area and create small failed states where western banksters, corporations and the military can operate with minimal resistance from governments. Also to help the Zionist long term objective of a Greater Israel between the Nile and Euphrates rivers. Note that some Jews, especially the orthodox Neturei Karta who regard a Jewish State as against their religion are among the strongest objectors to the latter idea.

The large amount of damage the Russian military has one to Islamic Stste in the short time since it was invited in by the apparently democratically elected leader Assad (who seems popular among his own people) has shown that the US and allies were largely pretending to fight IS while using it as cover to destroy infrastructure in Syria and Iraq.

Rhosty, Russia needs to part of the solution & could be brought in easily. Just invite Russia into both NATO & the EU.

plantagenet, i hear where you are coming from but how much does western involvement in middle eastern wars cost the long suffering Aussie taxpayer & how many more ANZACs have to die or be wounded?

OPTION 1, the ONLY threat to our safety & security is islamic terrorism right here in the land of OZ. Deport them ASAP & walk away from the middle east forever.

OPTION 2, build a new iron curtain around EVERY majority muslim nation on earth & don't allow any muslims to escape from paradise.

OPTION 3, exterminate every muslim on earth.

OPTION 4, the ugly, awkward, inconvenient truth is that there are NO other options.

Arjay & mox, both true.