In conclusion, this article explored the historical trajectories of Al Qaeda and Hamas as
a means of demonstrating nuance in the terrorist threat today. This nuance requires similar
levels of sophistication and understanding in U.S. counterterrorism policy. Otherwise, the
U.S. government risks over-reaching and even stimulating a global threat in areas where
only local terrorist adversaries are present. An “evil-doers” lens in counterterrorism policy
similarly can negatively affect other aspects of U.S. foreign policy. Know your adversaries?
A truism, of course, but it would be worth altering this truism to a certain extent: identify
your adversaries.