How Osama bin Laden Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Osama bin Laden continue to shape the world today.

Osama bin Laden, a Saudi-born founder and leader of al-Qaeda, was a key figure in the rise of global jihadism. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian mujahideen. Driven by opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, he declared war on the U.S. in 1996. Bin Laden orchestrated and supervised numerous terrorist attacks, most notably the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and led to the U.S. War on Terror.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

June 2011: Ayman al-Zawahiri Succeeded Bin Laden

On 16 June 2011, Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded Osama bin Laden.

June 2011: U.S. Drops Criminal Charges Against Bin Laden

On June 15, 2011, U.S. federal prosecutors officially dropped all criminal charges against Osama bin Laden after his death.

2011: Decline in Support for Bin Laden and al-Qaeda

In 2011, The Pew Research Center found that support for Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda had declined steadily across a number of Muslim countries, and was as low as 1% in Lebanon.

February 2012: Demolition of Bin Laden's Compound

In February 2012, Pakistani authorities demolished the compound in Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was killed.

February 2013: Pakistan Announces Plans for Amusement Park

In February 2013, Pakistan announced plans to build a PKR 265 million (US$30 million) amusement park in the area of Osama bin Laden's former hideout.

2019: Imran Khan Claims Pakistani Intelligence Led CIA to Bin Laden

In 2019, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan claimed that Pakistani intelligence led the CIA to Osama bin Laden.

June 2020: Imran Khan Praises Bin Laden in Parliament

During a June 2020 Pakistani parliament session, Prime Minister Imran Khan denounced Osama bin Laden's killing, calling it "an embarrassing moment" and praised Bin Laden as a Shaheed (martyr).