A terrorist group out to send a message, ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) or more well-known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has caused global panic.

Although most have only recently heard of this group, the organization has been around for a while. The group originated in 1999, but was merely the forerunner for the more commonly known al-Qaeda in Iraq, an affiliate of al-Qaeda itself, formed in 2004.

Fast forward to 2013, the group changed its name to ISIL and gained traction in the Syrian Civil War. It also cut off all the ties it had with al-Qaeda in early 2014.

Their intentions are to establish an Islamic State in the Sunni-majority areas of Iraq and Syria. They’ve been successful in doing so, controlling much of the land in the nations.

So, how has this become a problem for the United States? The answer is simple: their use of social media. ISIS has taken advantage of this outlet with tact and has caused an uproar here in our nation.

It all began on August 19. The group released a video of journalist James Foley being beheaded, along with another man with a threat of execution, Steve Sotloff. These videos are being released in response to the American bombings of ISIS targets.

Since then, Sotloff and two others have been killed along with a video release. Peter Kassig, an Indiana native, is the next hostage they’ve threatened to execute.

While this seems like an issue that needs a quick solution, that’s something that just can’t be done. As much as America wants it to, our bombings won’t be enough to stop ISIS.

Many countries are on board to help, but President Obama’s plan to ultimately destroy ISIS is one that will take many years, and there hasn’t been any major moves made yet. With so many unanswered questions, we will have to be patient before we get answers in this frightening situation.

What the Keyhole staff thinks:

Kayla Bellamy: “Just hearing about this makes me sad because some people are dying and suffering for no reason.”

Maddy Woodward: “I am afraid of ISIS, plain and simple. I think they have the ability to do damage to our country and are, for the most part, not afraid to show us and other countries what all they can do.”

Erin Hiday: “Everything about ISIS scares me. All their actions are gruesome and threatening. Would they have attacked us if we hadn’t bombed them when we did? When or if they attack us where will their targets be?”

Herson Madrid: “As someone who wants to be a journalist in the future, to hear what ISIS is doing to regular people who don’t mean any harm is just heartbreaking.”

Anna Diatlovich/Jenna Pierpoint: “Action should’ve been taken after ISIS’ first threat towards the U.S. If the president would have stuck to his word and put an end to the militia when it was not as relevant, they would not be the terrorists they are today.”

Karrie Hebert: “To be honest, I’m more scared that this is going to come directly to us, where we live, whether we want it to or not and there’s not much that we can do.

Megan Gartman: “ISIS is the most terrifying situation I’ve seen on the news in a while. It is absolutely horrifying what they have done so far, and they’ve put Obama in a difficult situation.

Kellie Leeper:  “I personally am terrified of the whole situation because I feel like they’re going to do something drastic before we can actually stop them. I feel very strongly about ISIS and I feel like everyone is very uninformed about the situation.”