In 2012, Obama's Defense Strategic Guidance document, titled "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense," refocused US foreign policy and its military structure. It made clear that the United States will continue to fight against "violent extremists," even though the assassination of bin Laden has diminished al-Qaeda. As the report states, "its affiliates remain active in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere"; the US military will "monitor" these groups and strike "the most dangerous groups and individuals when necessary." In short, Obama would continue the War on Terror on nonstate actors through surveillance, but also through drone attacks and the use of Special Operations Forces.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 433