Hunting bin Laden

This documentary, aired two days after the September 11, 2001, attacks, provides an overview of U.S. efforts to track Osama bin Laden and his network. It examines bin Laden’s role in previous attacks against American interests and the intelligence community’s understanding of his activities prior to 9/11. The program incorporates commentary from journalist Bill Moyers and was a collaboration between FRONTLINE and The New York Times.

The documentary traces the emergence of bin Laden’s ideology in connection with acts of Islamist terrorism against Americans during the 1990s, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, attacks on U.S. military installations in Saudi Arabia, and the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. It investigates the U.S. response to these events, including retaliatory missile strikes in Sudan. The program also addresses questions regarding the intelligence failures leading up to the 9/11 attacks and the challenges of distinguishing between perpetrators and broader cultural groups.

Key Themes & Topics Examined

• The history of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda’s operations.
• U.S. intelligence efforts to monitor and apprehend bin Laden.
• The context of the 9/11 attacks within a broader history of terrorism against U.S. targets.
• The U.S. government’s responses to international terrorism in the 1990s.
• The role of intelligence agencies in preventing large-scale terrorist operations.

Archival & Investigative Sources

• Previous FRONTLINE investigations into Osama bin Laden and his network.
• New interviews conducted in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
• Reporting and analysis from The New York Times.
• Commentary from journalist Bill Moyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of “Hunting bin Laden”?

The documentary primarily focuses on the U.S. intelligence community’s efforts to track Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network, providing historical context for his activities leading up to the September 11, 2001, attacks.

When was this documentary originally broadcast?

“Hunting bin Laden” was originally broadcast two days after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Who produced and directed “Hunting bin Laden”?

The documentary was produced and directed by Martin Smith, with writing contributions from Martin Smith and Lowell Bergman. It was a co-production between FRONTLINE, The New York Times, and Rain Media, Inc.