Bin Laden’s personal effects: understanding a mastermind

Bin Laden’s personal effects: understanding a mastermind

Some of the material taken from Osama bin Laden's hideout has been made available to the public.

A new set of documents that had been taken from Osama bin Laden’s hiding place were declassified by the CIA after years of scrutiny. The artifacts give fresh insight into the mind of the man responsible for the largest attack on American soil in recent decades.

The material included letters to family and friends, orders to other Al Qaeda operatives, news articles, English-language books, and video game manuals. All cast the impression that bin Laden was a tireless correspondent, a micro-managing leader, and a person deeply interested in the state of American security.

Many of the books that were smuggled to bin Laden over nearly ten years in hiding examine America’s missteps following the attacks of 9/11. On his bookshelf was Imperial Hubris– a harsh critique of US counter-terrorism strategy written by CIA agent formerly in charge of tracking down bin Laden himself.

Another book was Obama’s Wars, a 2010 book written by Bob Woodward about US counter-terrorism efforts and the wars in the Middle East.

The SEAL team that raided the hideout also found stacks of newspaper articles and think-tank analyses discussing American foreign policy.

Bin Laden’s personal letters also reveal his frustration with protectors, two Pakistani brothers who sheltered him. “I think that I have to leave them,” Bin Laden wrote. “But it will take a few months to arrange another place,” Bin Laden said. This letter was written less than six months before the SEAL team stormed the compound.

He also frequently wrote to his family members. “What is the latest funny news,” wrote bin Laden to one daughter. He also asked her to “forgive me if I made you mad — and perhaps for having done so frequently.”

Six days before he was killed, he wrote a letter to an aunt: “Please transfer my greetings to all my beloved daughters,” wrote bin Laden. “Please destroy this message after reading it.”

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