The drama The War Within attempts to put a human face on a suicide bomber. Ayad Akhtar plays Hassan, a student from Pakistan matriculating in Paris. He is arrested for being a possible terrorist, and his brutal handling puts him in the mood for revenge when he eventually gets released. He becomes involved in a terrorist organization and eventually makes his way to the United Sates in order to carry out a bombing plot. When the other members in the plan are arrested, Hassan begins living with an old friend of his who lives a normal American life. Hassan begins to question his desire to go through with the bombing plot when he sees the happiness of his old friend.