Almost eight years after the September 2001 attacks, U.S. counterterrorism strategy
would benefit from a clearer definition of its adversaries. Some have suggested that U.S.
counterterrorism policy focus primarily on Sunni jihadists. This term would account
for groups such as Al Qaeda and the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines, but not
Shi’ite militias in Iraq or Hizbullah. Although any attempt to narrow the scope of
U.S. counterterrorism strategy has merit, it is worth noting that important distinctions
exist between the various groups. To explore these distinctions, this article examines
the different historical trajectories and current arguments between two of the most
well-known Sunni jihadists: Al Qaeda and Hamas.