Editor's note: Peter Bergen is CNN's national security analyst and the author of "Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden From 9/11 to Abbottabad," from which this essay is adapted.
By Peter Bergen
There is no better way for historians to assess Osama bin Laden's thinking and the real state of al Qaeda as it was understood by its leaders in the years after 9/11 than the "treasure trove" of more than 6,000 documents that were recovered by the U.S. Navy SEALs who raided bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a year ago.
In those documents we hear bin Laden speak in his own voice, unaware, of course, that one day his most private musings would end up in the hands of the CIA.
The documents paint a portrait of a man who was simultaneously an inveterate micromanager but was also someone almost delusional in his belief that his organization could still force a change in American foreign policies in the Muslim world if only he could get another big attack organized inside the United States - something some of his subordinates were quite skeptical about given al Qaeda's diminished capabilities.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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I'll take Delusional, Retarded Towel Heads for $1000 Alex.
(1.) Audrey Tomason looks bored to death in this photo and I might even add she looks like she might not of agreed that this effort would actually work.... therefore, of course she had NO comment..I hope someone tripped her ass on the way out the door. She was (honored) allowed to sit in on this Major Historical event and was representing (!!!!) The National Counter Terrorism Center, and she has NO f%#@king comment?
(2.) Still uneasy as our action (USA) to show no photos and dump the body in the Oceans water... Just sayin. Don;t shoot me for wanting photos- I'm just that kind of person- show me-show me!
Wrong story Debbie. Now go "Do" Dallas.
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