Islamic State takes control of Syria's Palmyra in westward advance. Can it be stopped? How?

It's out of our hands. we need to take a step back from the middle east and let the region find a way to stabilize itself. (like that will ever happen) All these "Silent Majorities" of peaceful Muslims need to step up and condemn and police these radical groups. Sunnis and Shias need to bridge their religious differences and learn to coexist like the Christians and Protestants of England back in the day - not that all the differences have been resolved but at least they're not lopping off each other's heads.

We as a democratic republic who (on paper anyways) has separated church and state can't force democracy on Islamic based governments where religion and government are one in the same. We've shown it doesn't work and this is yet another byproduct of our attempts to do so.

I will have to agree with MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, We cannot solve their problems. Especially since they create their own problems out of ignorance, power lust and laziness on the part of the muslim world being apathetic to their own plight.

That region needs to pony up to the plate and fix their problem, we have spilled enough blood in an attempt to show them freedom that they do not want.

As much as I hate to say it, the only thing that can stop them is boots on ground and an aggressive campaign to exterminate them. Until that happens, they will continue to gain ground.