Declassified CIA Memos Reveal More Warnings About Bin Laden Before 9/11

The U.S. received more specific warnings about Osama bin Laden prior to the 9/11 attacks than had been previously understood. These alerts began during the Clinton administration, around three years before that devastating day, as revealed in 101 pages of intelligence memos released by the CIA on Friday.

The CIA made public 71 documents regarding bin Laden, the Taliban, and Afghanistan’s opium trade, covering the terms of both the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

Presidential Daily Briefs (PDBs) are issued to the President and a small group of senior officials, summarizing the most pressing intelligence issues of the day.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe described this release as “the single largest batch of CIA analysis related to 9/11 ever.” He remarked that it was a significant act of transparency to honor those lost on that tragic day.

These documents date back to before the October 1998 arrests of four men linked to bin Laden who were involved in the bombings of American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

Warnings about potential plane hijackings first surfaced as early as December 1998, with a PDB titled “Bin Ladin Preparing To Hijack US Aircraft and Other Attacks.” One alarming extract suggested that “reporting indicates Bin Ladin and his associates are prepping for attacks in the US, including an aircraft hijacking,” noting that some members had previously eluded security checks at a trial run in an unspecified New York airport.

This announcement followed sharp criticism directed at three former presidents from the families of 9/11 victims regarding the lack of transparency concerning Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the attacks. At a memorial in New York City, one family member expressed frustration that various administrations, including those in attendance, chose to protect the Saudis rather than stand with the families of those lost.

The CIA release doesn’t contain any details that could address these concerns. A report in 2004 by the 9/11 Commission identified that there were indeed multiple warnings. Bin Laden was frequently mentioned in PDBs under both Clinton and Bush, with a total of 40 reports prior to the attacks.

Now, Americans have the chance to read some of these PDBs; however, it is unclear if this new release encompasses all the ones examined by the commission. One of the memos from February 1998 indicated that “Bin Ladin and his associates also agreed to increase narcotics exports to Europe and the U.S. using legitimate businesses.” Another from June 1998 alluded to Bin Laden’s mentions of “bringing the war home to America,” which could suggest intentions for attacks in the U.S.

In the months leading up to 9/11, the PDBs increasingly warned of a potential terror plot, including hijackings. For instance, in May 2001, a captured terrorist informed the CIA of a scheme involving Bin Laden and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad to orchestrate an attack aimed at forcing the release of prisoners held by the U.S.

In a July 2001 PDB, which noted ongoing suspicious activities, the CIA saw a connection with earlier reports indicating imminent threats.

Among the recommendations put forth in the 9/11 Commission Report to prevent future attacks was the call for increased transparency in the intelligence community’s operations.