The following is an op-ed written by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In recent months I have watched in stunned horror as a group armed with military weapons, trucks, and equipment has moved into and taken over a neighboring country. These disgusting savages who have effectively erased borders that have been in place for many years not only peril the sovereignty of nations, but also threaten to destabilize the entire region.

I am of course referring to the terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS or ISIL).