There aren't many choices. One is capitulation; complete withdrawal of all coalition forces from Iraq. I din't know how bad that would get.

A second is a surgical military operation, like a SWAT team intervention if their location is known. Risky but at least foing something.

A third is to sacrifice the hostages.

A fourth is negotiation, but I have no idea whether that is possible. We are dealing with fanatacism on its home ground, a very bad combination to be up against.

A