After terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria publicly executed Steven Sotloff, their second western victim, the U.S., NATO and other forces are determining the best course of action to aid the Middle East’s resistance.

The U.S. should not do more than offer humanitarian relief and work with NATO to find solutions to ISIS’s massacres.

The Obama administration has confirmed that there will be “no boots on the ground,” but I am advocating for the stoppage of air strikes. Air strikes have the potential to cause more civil harm than soldiers.

In terms of foreign affairs, President Barack Obama’s decision to not deploy ground forces is excellent.  The West intervening in Iran and Iraq — two countries within the top ten of oil producing countries — would allow other countries to condemn the U.S. for several reasons.

This year, when Syrian President Bashir al-Assad was using chemical weapons, America continued helping with airstrikes, but backed off with further military assistance. Intervention in Iran and Iraq would give countries such as Russia ammunition which could lead to problems in foreign relations.

The attacks could come as America only helping those in need when those in need can repay.  This perspective seems only more likely when looking at how other, closer, countries are reacting.

American government sources suggested that Britain might be willing to help with air forces too, but Cameron and other officials were quick to spot the mention. The British government stated that strikes were “not under discussion at the moment.”

By continuing drone strikes, civilians will be killed and ISIS will be getting what it wants.

Civilians have already been killed by the U.S. drone strikes on ISIS. With more strikes, more civilians will be killed and ISIS will use its exceptional media plugs to spread the word of Americans as bloodlusting invaders.

The executioner of Sotloff stated that, “so just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.” The recent videos of ISIS beheadings can attest to this threat.

Whether NATO decides on airstrikes or not, humanitarian relief will be necessary.

The U.S. is not in charge of dismantling ISIS and should look inwards at civil disputes, the slowdown of employment rates this month and affairs with organizations that can make a difference without the backlash of foreign input.