What are the primary goals of ISIS regarding national borders?

The primary goal of ISIS regarding national borders is to refuse to recognize local borders. This stance reflects the organization's ideology, which is rooted in a desire to create a transnational Islamic state, or caliphate, that transcends existing national boundaries. ISIS’s leaders view the borders drawn by colonial powers in the Middle East as arbitrary and illegitimate. Consequently, their actions and propaganda often emphasize the need to unite Muslims across these borders, promoting the idea that the nation-state model is incompatible with their vision of an Islamic society governed by strict interpretation of Sharia law.

In contrast, the other options do not align with ISIS’s fundamental objectives. For example, while expansion into Europe might seem plausible as a strategy, the core ideology does not prioritize the recognition of existing European borders but rather aims at establishing dominance over the entire region. The notion of maintaining current borders is contrary to ISIS’s goals, which explicitly involve the dismantling of established states in favor of their caliphate. Establishing peace treaties runs counter to their militant approach and refusal to accept the sovereignty of other nations, as peace negotiations contradict their vision for an uncompromised Islamic governance model. Overall, the refusal to recognize local borders illustrates the fundamental principles driving ISIS's operations and territorial ambitions.