This essay seeks to break through this paralysis, offering five options for handling the refugee crisis. The options run the gamut from turning our collective backs on the refugees to a massive resettlement program. The United States and Europe could also increase support for regional states, create safe zones within Syria, or even step up intervention in Syria itself to diminish the flows. All these options are flawed, but our hope is that by laying out the advantages and disadvantages of each, we can move the debate forward and enable a better discussion of the benefits and risks of any course of action.