Questions abound over how or why IS could do this [burning of Jordian pilot, Kasasbeh]. To understand their mindset requires a brief examination of Islamic, or Sharia, law.
IS believes in a principle known as "qisas" which, in its broadest terms, is the law of equal retaliation. Put another way, it is the Islamic equivalent of "lex talionis", or the doctrine of an eye for an eye.
Within Islamic law qisas typically relates to cases of murder, manslaughter, or acts involving physical mutilation (such as the loss of limbs) and creates a framework for victims (or their families) to seek retributive justice.
As a pilot fighting with the Western coalition, Lt Kasasbeh would have been associated with dropping incendiary bombs - so burning could be seen by them as appropriate retaliation.
Even then, the issue of "punishing" with fire is deeply contested among Muslims. Many regard it as absolutely prohibited in all circumstances.
Indeed, the outrage from Muslims has been so strong that IS members have been forced to respond quickly with their own justifications for the act.
Regardless of the group's reasoning, this was the fate to which Lt Kasasbeh was condemned.
From the moment Islamic State captured him they had made it clear that he would be killed. Indeed, they even attempted to crowd-source his murder, at times asking users on social media to suggest precisely how he should be killed.
For this reason, there was never any realistic prospect of his release.
That was not enough for Jordanian authorities, who insisted they also wanted Lt Kasasbeh released.
When officials in Amman asked for proof of life none was offered, prompting speculation that the murder may have actually taken place some weeks ago.
This would make sense. Shortly after his capture, the Jordanian and American armies launched two abortive attempts to rescue Lt Kasasbeh.
Fearing that another attempt might succeed, it is likely the group killed him weeks ago and then waited for an opportunity to release the video.
All armies want to develop an edge over their adversaries. Typically this involves investment in better hardware to project more power and menace.
IS knows this is not an area where it can compete.
Instead, what it has is asymmetric power - the ability to shock and terrify with videos such as the one released on Tuesday. As always, we are the audience and the aim is clear - to shock and scare us.
In that regard the video has already been a success. Jordanians are outraged, but many are also asking why the country is participating in the coalition air raids against Islamic State.
The United Arab Emirates had already gone a step further after Lt Kasasbeh was captured in December. It withdrew from the coalition altogether, citing fears for the safety of its pilots.
That is perhaps the most potent weapon Islamic State possess today - the carefully curated asymmetry of fear.
