A growing ideological challenge is reshaping Europe today—Islamism. This ideology, championed by groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and more extreme factions like ISIS, the Taliban, and al-Qaeda, seeks to expand Islam’s influence in politics. While Islamism is distinct from political Islam, its rapid spread across the continent has begun to impact not just European societies but also U.S. national security interests.
For years, U.S. policymakers have largely treated Islamism as a European issue, focusing instead on counterterrorism and deradicalization efforts. However, the growing influence of Islamism in Europe carries broader geopolitical consequences, making it a concern that Washington can no longer afford to overlook.
Islamism’s Expansion and Its Violent Repercussions
In the past two decades, both violent and non-violent Islamism have surged across Europe. France, in particular, has suffered a wave of terrorist attacks, including the 2015 Bataclan massacre and the beheading of schoolteacher Samuel Paty in 2020. Similar attacks have occurred in Brussels, Vienna, Berlin, London, and other cities, leaving countless victims in their wake. Security agencies have thwarted many other planned attacks, underscoring the persistent threat posed by Islamist extremism.
The problem extends beyond isolated acts of terror. Over 5,000 European citizens traveled to Syria to join ISIS in the 2010s, with France alone contributing more than 2,000 fighters. Even as the caliphate was dismantled, radicalized individuals have continued to engage in knife attacks and other forms of violence. Germany has witnessed a nearly 40% rise in knife-related attacks between 2021 and 2023, many linked to radical Islamists. In Solingen, Germany, a police chief warned citizens to reconsider attending public events due to the security risks posed by extremists, highlighting the growing fear in European cities.
Christian sites have also come under attack. In 2019 alone, an estimated 3,000 churches, schools, and other Christian landmarks across Europe were vandalized or looted, with France and Germany experiencing the highest numbers. While not all cases were directly linked to Islamism, many bore its hallmarks.
Non-Violent Islamism and Its Societal Impact
Beyond violence, non-violent Islamism has also entrenched itself in European society. Symbols of banned terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah regularly appear in public demonstrations. Street prayers—despite official bans in some countries—remain a visible expression of Islamist influence. In the UK, annual Eid celebrations in Birmingham now attract up to 140,000 participants, while in France, Islamist-aligned groups continue to challenge state secularism.
The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel further emboldened Islamist movements in Europe. Pro-Gaza protests with pro-Hamas rhetoric have surged, and antisemitic incidents have spiked. In Hamburg, demonstrators recently called for a global caliphate, and in London, mobs chanted slogans threatening Jewish communities. The result has been a sharp increase in Jewish emigration from France and the UK to Israel, driven by fears of targeted violence.
Mass migration has further complicated the landscape, with Islamist networks actively discouraging integration. Many predominantly Muslim neighborhoods in France, Germany, and Sweden function as “parallel societies,” where Islamist leaders promote separation from Western culture. In France’s banlieues, radical preachers foster anti-Western sentiments, facilitating recruitment for extremist causes. German intelligence services estimate that over 27,000 Islamists currently operate within the country, a dramatic increase over the past two decades.
European Responses: A Patchwork of Inadequate Measures
Following 9/11, European governments sought to engage Muslim communities through dialogue and integration programs. While well-intended, these efforts often prioritized multiculturalism over security, inadvertently providing space for Islamist ideologies to flourish. Policies emphasizing tolerance and engagement have failed to curb the spread of radical ideologies.
The UK’s counterterrorism strategy, known as CONTEST, included measures to prevent radicalization but struggled to address the ideological underpinnings of Islamism. Similarly, the EU’s counterterrorism initiatives have largely focused on combating jihadism rather than tackling the broader Islamist movement.
More recently, some European leaders have recognized the problem. French President Emmanuel Macron has described Islamism as a “political project that seeks to secede from the Republic” and has pushed for reforms targeting foreign-funded mosques and Islamist organizations. Austria, Denmark, and France have banned foreign funding for Muslim groups, while Germany has begun training imams domestically. Italy has deported radical clerics, and Sweden has reduced public funding for Islamist-affiliated groups. However, these measures remain fragmented and face political resistance.
Implications for the United States
Islamism’s unchecked growth in Europe weakens America’s transatlantic allies, complicates NATO’s cohesion, and fosters an environment that enables global jihadist networks. Rising Islamism in Europe has also influenced key foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding Iran and Israel. European governments, prioritizing domestic stability, have taken softer stances on Iran, allowing Tehran to expand its influence.
In the UK, the July 2024 elections demonstrated the electoral power of Islamist-aligned voting blocs, influencing Labour’s shifting stance on Palestinian statehood. Similarly, in France, the recent success of Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National reflects growing public frustration with Islamism, though mainstream leaders have yet to implement effective solutions.
A Call for Coherent Action
Despite growing awareness, European policymakers remain reluctant to confront Islamism comprehensively. Speech codes and accusations of Islamophobia deter serious debate, while political leaders fear alienating key voting constituencies. No NATO or EU member state has developed a unified strategy to address the ideological and security challenges posed by Islamism.
The U.S. must take note of Europe’s struggles. While America has largely avoided the violent manifestations of Islamism seen in Europe, the underlying ideology exists within its borders. Lessons from Europe’s policy failures should guide U.S. efforts to counter Islamist influence before it reaches similar levels.
Islamism is no longer just a European problem—it is a global challenge. As the ideological battle intensifies, both European and American leaders must adopt a firmer stance, ensuring that the democratic values of the West are not eroded by an ideology that seeks their demise.
