Obama on 'Twisted' Islamic State Views: 'Ideologies Are Not Defeated With Guns, They Are Defeated With Better Ideas

The Islamic State’s “twisted” ideology cannot be defeated with military action alone — it will also require “better ideas,” President Barack Obama said during a press conference on Monday.

Screengrab via WhiteHouse.gov video

“As I’ve said before, and I know our military leaders agree, this broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort,” Obama said. “Ideologies are not defeated with guns, they are defeated with better ideas — a more attractive and compelling vision.”

Obama said the U.S. will continue working with its global partners to “counter ISIL’s hateful propaganda, especially online.”

“We’ll constantly affirm through words and deeds that we will never be at war with Islam,” he added. “We’re fighting terrorists who distort Islam and whose victims are mostly Muslims.”

Watch Obama's remarks below:

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