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 Islamist, founded al-Qaeda and served as its first emir. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian fighters in the Yugoslav Wars. He vehemently opposed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, declaring war against the U.S. in 1996. Bin Laden orchestrated and supervised the September 11 attacks in 2001, targeting U.S. assets. His actions and ideologies had a significant impact on global politics and security.

Sections (6)

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

2000: Clinton Administration Focus on Bin Laden

In 2000, before the September 11 attacks, Paul Bremer characterized the Clinton administration as correctly focused on Bin Laden, while Robert Oakley criticized their obsession with Osama.

2004: Bin Laden Speaks of Bleeding America to Bankruptcy

In a 2004 tape broadcast by Al Jazeera, Osama bin Laden spoke of "bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy", outlining his strategy of luring enemies into long wars of attrition.

October 2008: Obama Pledges to Kill Bin Laden

On October 7, 2008, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama pledged, "We will kill Bin Laden. We will crush al-Qaeda. That has to be our biggest national security priority."

June 2011: U.S. federal prosecutors drop all criminal charges against Bin Laden

On 15 June 2011, U.S. federal prosecutors officially dropped all criminal charges against Bin Laden following his death.

June 2011: Ayman al-Zawahiri Succeeded Bin Laden

On June 16, 2011, Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded Bin Laden as the leader of al-Qaeda.

February 2012: Pakistani authorities demolish Bin Laden's compound

In February 2012, Pakistani authorities demolished the compound in Abbottabad to prevent it from becoming a neo-Islamist shrine.

March 2012: Report details Bin Laden's movements in Pakistan

On 29 March 2012, Pakistani newspaper Dawn acquired a report produced by Pakistani security officials, based on interrogation of his three surviving wives, that detailed his movements while living underground in Pakistan.

February 2013: Pakistan announces plans for amusement park on former hideout site

In February 2013, Pakistan announced plans to build a PKR 265 million (US$30 million) amusement park in the area, including the property of the former hideout.

2019: Pakistani Prime Minister claims intelligence led CIA to Bin Laden

In an interview 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 during parliament session

During a June 2020 Pakistani parliament session, Imran Khan denounced Bin Laden's killing, labeling it as "an embarrassing moment" in their country's history, and also praised Bin Laden as a Shaheed (martyr).

November 2023: Bin Laden's "Letter to the American People" sparks controversy on TikTok

In November 2023, amid the Gaza war, Bin Laden's "Letter to the American People", published in 2002, became the subject of public controversy after some TikTok users expressed sympathy with Bin Laden's statements in the letter regarding the Israel–Palestine conflict. The letter was removed from The Guardian's website and TikTok began taking down videos that shared the letter.