Osama bin Laden, it turns out, had an unexpected fondness for Tom and Jerry cartoons.
In 2017, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) made public nearly half a million personal files seized from Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. The trove contained a wide array of surprising materials-from documents indicating collaboration with Iran to viral internet clips and even some risqué images.
The Raid and the Release
Following the May 2011 Operation Neptune Spear, when SEAL Team Six eliminated the Al-Qaeda leader at his Abbottabad residence known as the ‘Waziristan Haveli,’ over 470,000 items were confiscated and later disclosed to the public.
At the time, CIA Director Mike Pompeo remarked, “Today’s disclosure of recovered al-Qaeda letters, videos, audio files, and other materials offers the American public deeper insight into the operations and intentions of this terrorist network.”
He added, “The CIA remains committed to sharing information with the American people, while safeguarding national security.”
Unexpected Discoveries in the Files
Personal Diaries and Home Footage
Among the materials were personal journals and about 79,000 audio and image files, including recordings of public speaking rehearsals and audio messages. Additionally, there were roughly 10,000 videos showing moments like bin Laden’s son Hamza’s wedding and various jihadist propaganda pieces.
The diaries and communications suggest that bin Laden’s secret quarters were equipped with numerous computers, highlighting his active role in leading Al-Qaeda despite claims that he had stepped back.
Documents Revealing Al-Qaeda’s Links with Iran
A notable find was a 19-page report detailing Al-Qaeda’s connections with Iran. Other documents painted a complex picture of both tension and cooperation between the terrorist group and the Iranian government over time.
William Wechsler, a national security expert at the Middle East Institute, noted, “The key takeaway, at least in the U.S., appears to be the relationship with Iran.”
Memes, Internet Clips, and Unexpected Files
Surprisingly, bin Laden’s collection included clips titled ‘HORSE_DANCE’ and ‘funny cat,’ episodes of a Jackie Chan TV show, images of the Yahoo logo, a stuffed monkey toy, and a mysterious file named ‘_booby_2.JPEG’-raising eyebrows about its content.
Extensive Movie and TV Collection
His hideout also housed a diverse assortment of films and documentaries, ranging from family-friendly animations and zombie horror movies to political documentaries, including some about himself.
Among the collection were Hollywood cartoons, historical documentaries, and viral internet videos such as the famous ‘Charlie Bit My Finger’ clip, episodes of Mr. Bean, and even 28 tutorials on crocheting.
Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, commented humorously, “It’s amusing to think Osama bin Laden was a Tom and Jerry fan. Maybe he was-I enjoy Tom and Jerry too. But I suspect much of the lighthearted or personal content was intended for his family.”
Highlights from the Media Collection
- Antz
- Batman: Gotham Knight
- BBC Great Wildlife Moments
- Biography – Osama bin Laden
- Cars
- Chicken Little
- CNN Presents: World’s Most Wanted
- Final Fantasy VII
- Heroes of Tomorrow
- Home on the Range
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- In the Footsteps of bin Laden – CNN
- National Geographic: Kung Fu Killers
- National Geographic: Inside the Green Berets
- National Geographic: Predators at War
- National Geographic: World’s Worst Venom
- Peru Civilization
- Resident Evil
- Storm Rider – Clash of the Evils
- The Kremlin from Inside
- The Story of India
- The Three Musketeers
- Where in the World is Osama bin Laden
The Scale and Caution
The entire release encompassed 174 gigabytes of video, 7.4 gigabytes of images, and 18 gigabytes of documents, among other data. However, the CIA warned the public against downloading these files onto personal devices.
The CIA’s official page stated, “Please be aware that this material was seized from a terrorist organization. Although the files underwent thorough interagency review, there is no absolute guarantee that all malware has been removed.”
This extraordinary release offers a unique glimpse into the private life and operations of one of the most notorious terrorists in history, blending the unexpected with the chilling realities of global terrorism.