Well, if you follow that path to the logical conclusion why not just drop an atom bomb and be done with it? The thing is ISIS will lose, it's not a question of

Well, if you follow that path to the logical conclusion why not just drop an atom bomb and be done with it? The thing is ISIS will lose, it's not a question of if but a question of when. Unlike a fairy tale there won't be a happy end afterwards though. These countries will have to be moved back on track and need to become stable. That requires state building which takes time, is expensive and very unpopular with voters. Additionally these strikes themselves cost lots of money. It also makes sense to avoid civilian casulties to not further support ISIS and other terrorist organizations in their recruitment, which is already going better than anyone would like. If you think ahead, I don't think you can come to any other choice than to try to minimize damage, especially to important infrastructure like this.