Or possibly even worse, according to some figures.

Iran suffered its first acknowledged military casualty of the war in the Fertile Crescent. As the Administration continues to ponder its options, events are accelerating.

Secretary of State Kerry met with Kurdish leaders on Tuesday, while Vice President Biden and Turkish PM Erdogan discussed keeping the autonomous region in Iraq. But the Kurds have newfound oil wealth and hold the only secure segment of a disintegrating country. Will they enter the fray or forge a separate destiny?