A recent car-ramming attack at a Berlin Pride parade, which resulted in one death and 20 injuries, has reignited concerns regarding the enduring influence of Islamic State (ISIS) ideology in Europe. German police fatally shot the suspect, who had a documented history of attempting to join ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

While ISIS lost its physical territory as a state by 2018, its extremist doctrine continues to circulate via social media. This ideology, which some researchers term "ISISism," serves as a form of rebellion for a specific subset of young people. The recent Berlin incident follows a foiled plot in August 2024, where three youths in Austria—two of whom were second-generation immigrants—allegedly planned to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna while pledging allegiance to ISIS.

Scholar Olivier Roy has previously identified a pattern among those carrying out such attacks in the West: they are frequently second-generation European Muslims or converts. According to this analysis, these individuals often come from secular households and may experience a "born-again" radicalization process, sometimes while incarcerated. This phenomenon is often characterized as a generational revolt, where individuals adopt an austere version of the faith that contrasts with the more moderate practices of their immigrant parents.

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The political response to the Berlin attack has been swift. German minister Alexander Dobrindt categorized the event as "Islamic terror," a choice of terminology that has drawn criticism for potentially conflating the entire Muslim faith with the political extremism of groups like ISIS. Observers note that such rhetoric, combined with the exploitation of the tragedy by right-wing political factions, risks fueling Islamophobia.

Experts suggest that rather than focusing solely on immigration restrictions, authorities should address the underlying socio-economic factors—such as despair and marginalization—that create environments where extremist ideologies can take root. Despite the collapse of the ISIS caliphate, the group’s ability to inspire violence remains a significant security challenge for Western nations.

Source: The Conversation