The Islamic State should expect nothing but the most brutal retribution following revelations the group burned alive a Jordanian pilot.
IS was seemingly negotiating for the release of the pilot, who already had been burnt alive in a cage.
The most horrific images are being circulated through the internet and they make for very sober viewing.
Earlier, IS had beheaded two Japanese nationals, enraging Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is already seeking a revitalisation of his country's armed forces.
King Abdullah, of Jordan, has pledged to wage ''relentless war'' on IS and step up his country's role in the United States-led coalition.
The king cut short his visit to Washington to handle one of the worst crises of his reign.
Jordanian officials said all options remained open but it seems unlikely, despite the angry and determined mood, the kingdom will risk ground operations.
The main strongholds of IS are far away in northeastern Syria and across the border in Iraq.
Jordan is not a cash-rich nation and relies heavily on support from the US.
Jordan immediately executed two prisoners with links to al Qaeda, one of whom was to be used in a swap for the Jordanian pilot.
It is thought Jordan is also likely to execute four more convicted terrorists who are currently on death row.
The latest atrocities in the Middle East have become a tit-for-tat contest which can only inflict more misery on hundreds of thousands of innocents.
And let us not forget the atrocities being committed in the name of Islam by Boko Haram who this week claimed credit for killing more than 100 people during an attack on North Cameroon, murdering residents inside their homes and in a mosque.
In Libya, eight Libyans, two Filipino and two Ghanaian nationals were killed on Wednesday during an attack on an oilfield.
Most were beheaded but some were killed by gunshots.
Against this backdrop, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond revealed New Zealand has been asked to contribute 100 defence personnel to a joint training mission in Iraq with Australia, which will allow Australia to boost its contribution but keep it under 1000.
The Government has signalled it will offer training to Iraqi forces, but Cabinet is still working through the details.
Mr Hammond incurred the wrath of critics when he delivered a blunt message about New Zealand joining the anti-IS coalition.
''Frankly, we've got used to New Zealand being there alongside the US, the United Kingdom, Australia as part of the family,'' he said while in Wellington.
Mr Hammond's comments were regarded as thoughtless for two main reasons.
The first was that the comments came soon after he handed over a plaque bearing the names of New Zealand's World War 1 Victoria Cross recipients, including the name of Corporal Cyril Bassett, the only New Zealander awarded the VC in the Gallipoli campaign.
There is lasting resentment about the role Britain had at Gallipoli, leading to the deaths of Kiwis at Anzac Cove 100 years ago.
The indifference Britain takes to visa restrictions on New Zealanders also brings resentment, especially when Mr Hammond claims terrorism presents a risk because New Zealanders are inveterate travellers.
Mr Hammond says he is aware of how squeamish the public is about anything sounding like going back to Iraq, but issued an assurance the commitment to training is not going back to war.
He is also emphatic the IS problem will spread further.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key undoubtedly has a difficult decision to make on how much involvement New Zealand has in the fight against IS.
This country now looks to Asia for the majority of exports, not Britain, and will have to balance its commitment to joining the so-called family with its economic priorities.
More importantly, the distaste many New Zealanders have with their soldiers entering into a conflict not of their making, in the centenary year of Gallipoli, will also be of major consideration.
