Ransom

How does Islamic State finance the expenses of their butchery? They loot banks where they take a city, and they take oil wells. And - according to this article (by AP) - "Kidnapping for ransom is a main source of income."

Here's a recent example. Last year in Syria 200+ Christians were captured by IS and held all this time for ransom. A bank account was opened in Iraq and donations came in from all over the world. A negotiated sum (under $9 million) was eventually paid, and the kidnapped were released.

"Ransom money - a horrible dilemma."  If you don't pay the ransom, your kidnapped victim suffers terribly. If you do pay it, your victim is released - but you have enabled & funded the kidnappers to take more victims. It's a moral dilemma.