From the report that spurred one of the headlines below:
In July 2012, NCTC director Matthew Olsen warned that while Iran and Hizballah had not yet hit targets in the United States, U.S. officials worry that could soon change. “We’re seeing a general uptick in the level of activity around the world,” he noted, adding that “both Hezbollah and the Qods Force have demonstrated an ability to operate essentially globally.” In fact, the Hizballah–Qods Force threat has sometimes eclipsed that of al-Qaeda. Olsen continued: “There are times when we are briefing the White House [on terror threats and] at the top of the list are Hezbollah or Iran.”
That comment comes from a July 2012 Wired article, which elaborated:
The al-Qaeda network of Sunni extremists is still America’s undisputed Public Enemy #1. But for the first time in a long time, there’s competition, at least week-to-week.
So, this is the same Qods force that Hagel voted against labeling a terrorist organization back in 2007.
And this is the same Hezbollah that Hagel did not feel the European Union should label a terrorist organization back in 2006. Of course, Hagel is now telling folks like Chuck Schumer he’s always seen Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.