Using a bipolar approach as a framework from the terrorism rhetoric, this article analyzes the main philosophies of counterterrorism. It puts emphasis on the fact that states defining and conceptualizing a political violence issue is a deliberate, ideological and subjective act rather than an objective examination and conception. It briefly discusses the focus and perception of policy makers, and the dynamics of the politics when determining the nature of counterterrorism efforts. For illustration, the 30 year struggle of Turkey against the PKK is analyzed in the context of identified dichotomy. It underlines the necessity of objective examination of the problem isolated from ideological limitation triggered by the politics so as to reach proper conception of counterterrorism. The article concludes that conception of counterterrorism is strongly related to the perception of terrorism. Efforts to deal with terrorism have culminated in two distinct mindsets, each with its own logic of how to characterize the problem as well as how to counter it. Each approach discussed in this article has weaknesses and strengths under certain conditions and neither of the approaches alone are a panacea. The nature, characteristics and the conditional dynamics of a political violence case are determinant factors for effective countermeasures. Finding the delicate balance on this bipolar axis -through identifying the dose, timing, and target population- is crucial so as to increase government legitimacy and break down the support toward terrorist group.