A detained ISIS militant has sparked renewed concern over the group’s persistent ideological rigidity after declaring in a recorded interview that “there’s no such thing as radical Islam, only Islam or no Islam.” The statement, made by a French-speaking prisoner currently held under counterterrorism custody, underscores how deeply the organization’s radical worldview remains entrenched even among captured fighters.

During the interview, the militant denied that the group’s interpretation of Sharia law was “extreme,” insisting instead that Western nations deliberately distort Islam to discredit its teachings. His remarks, paraphrased in the released transcript, reflect ISIS’s long-standing rejection of the term “radical Islam,” which militants view as a Western construct aimed at dividing Muslims.

Security analysts say such comments highlight the ideological core of ISIS’s propaganda machine—a doctrine that refuses moderation and equates total submission to their vision of Islam with spiritual legitimacy. By framing violence as divinely sanctioned “purity,” the group continues to justify its actions, even after suffering devastating territorial and leadership losses in Iraq and Syria.

Despite global efforts to dismantle ISIS networks, thousands of sympathizers remain active online, perpetuating the same absolutist rhetoric that inspired mass atrocities during the group’s peak. Experts warn that these statements serve as recruitment tools, reinforcing narratives of victimhood and divine duty among disaffected audiences.

Western counterterrorism officials have long emphasized the importance of ideological confrontation alongside military action. President Trump’s administration has consistently taken a hardline stance on combating Islamist extremism, identifying the need to challenge not only terrorist operations but also the theological justifications behind them.

The militant’s denial of “radical Islam” may appear semantic—but for ISIS, it’s a declaration of absolute defiance. It serves as a reminder that even behind bars, the ideological battle against jihadist extremism is far from over.