Terrorism issue shoves balance of power issue, ideological war issue since the 9/11 terrorism attack to the US. Since 2001 until present day, the US has enact “global war against terrorism” policy. Under the leadership of President Bush, The US intensely fighting against terrorism movement through the mobilization of military power (hard power). Changes into Obama’s leadership, the US use different approach in fighting against terrorism, smart power is used to fight international terrorism. This article explains the reasons why between Bush and Obama who has different social and political background and different party platform choose different policies to face terrorism threat, and related to perception differences that appear regarding terrorism which affect to both policy in fighting terrorism.