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Osama bin Laden
Available biographies depict Osama bin Laden as a historical figure, the mastermind behind 9/11, but no longer relevant to the world it created. In this book, Scheuer, the first head of the CIA's bin Laden Unit, provides a closely reasoned portrait of bin Laden.
Book
Osama bin Laden
9/11 almost instantaneously remade American politics and foreign policy. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Patriot Act, water boarding, and Guantanamo are examples of its profound and far-reaching effects. Most biographies of Osama bin Laden depict him as an historical figure, the mastermind behind 9/11, but no longer relevant to the world it created. These accounts, it is argued here, have contributed to a widespread and dangerous denial of his continuing significance and power as al-Qaeda chief. This book provides a corrective portrait of bin Laden, showing him to be a figure of remarkable leadership skills, strategic genius, and considerable rhetorical abilities. Written by first head of the Central Intelligence Agency’s bin Laden Unit, the book draws from a wealth of information about bin Laden and his evolution from peaceful Saudi dissident to America’s Most Wanted. Shedding light on his development as a theologian, media manipulator, and paramilitary commander, the book makes use of all the speeches and interviews bin Laden has given as well as lengthy interviews, testimony, and previously untranslated documents written by those who grew up with bin Laden in Saudi Arabia, served as his bodyguards and drivers, and fought alongside him against the Soviet Union.
eBook
Meet the Press, November 21, 2004
On this edition of Meet the Press: Senator John McCain discusses the war in Iraq; former CIA intelligence analyst, Michael Scheuer discusses his new book and the war on terror.
Streaming Video
Osama bin Laden as Subject
This chapter examines five narratives, each offering a portrait of Osama bin Laden. The first is the “old hands” narrative, attributed to traditional terrorism analysts who consider bin Laden and his allies as just new iterations of the same old terrorism. The second is the “former comrades” narrative, ascribed to former mujahedin who have fallen out with bin Laden, including Boudejema Bounoua, Hashim al-Makki, and Abu Musab al-Suri. The third is the Riyadh narrative, the origin of which can be traced to Saudi Arabia’s spokesmen. The fourth narrative, the imperialist narrative, comes from pro-Israeli writers and their colleagues in the United States. Finally, the “bin Laden experts” narratives are offered by Western experts who do not rely on the primary sources about the al-Qaeda chief.
Book Chapter
Epilogue
This book has portrayed Osama bin Laden based on what the primary sources say about him—who he is and what he believes, and what he intends to do to win the war against the West in general and the United States in particular. It has discussed many of the misconceptions and false assumptions about bin Laden, arguing that a lack of understanding about bin Laden is costing America the jihad that he, al-Qaeda, and their allies started.
Book Chapter
Survivor and Planner, 2001–2010
This chapter focuses on Osama bin Laden’s survival from the U.S. strike on Afghanistan in 2001, which was America’s retaliation for the 9/11 attacks, and his planning until 2010. It begins by considering bin Laden’s efforts to goad Washington into invading Afghanistan before discussing various opinions about whether he and his al-Qaeda organization survived the U.S. onslaught. More specifically, it analyzes the notion that bin Laden and his fighters were able to escape from the Tora Bora Mountains to Pakistan. It also examines the organizational reordering undertaken by bin Laden in Pakistan, along with his media war that builds on the media operations he mounted during and after the Afghan jihad. The chapter concludes by assessing the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003 and what it means for bin Laden.
Book Chapter
Education, 1957–1979
This chapter focuses on the education of Osama bin Laden from 1957 to 1979. It provides a background on bin Laden’s youth and his family, as well as the impact of his father, Muhammad bin-Awad bin Laden, on his life. It also considers bin Laden’s relationship with his mother, Allia; his ties to the bin Laden clan; his religious beliefs and passion for hard work; and his love for Islamic history and for the Muslim ummah. Finally, the chapter examines how hard work, perseverance, stubbornness, genuine religious faith, self-reliance, and risk-taking influenced the way bin Laden ran the al-Qaeda organization as well as the kind of war it waged against those they suspected to be enemies of Islam.
Book Chapter
Nomad, 1989–1996
This chapter focuses on Osama bin Laden’s travels from one country to another between 1989 and 1996. It begins by describing bin Laden’s stay in Saudi Arabia and his support for the movement called Islamic Awakening (Sahwa), as well as his decision to leave the Kingdom because of his feeling that he was betrayed by the regime and its scholars. It then considers bin Laden’s return to Pakistan, where he worked to mediate the political chaos and violence among the Afghan insurgent groups. It also comments on bin Laden’s animosity toward Britain, the United States, and the United Nations before concluding with a discussion of his life in Sudan where he prepared to use al-Qaeda to intensify the war on America.
Book Chapter