Introduction
When the United States began bombing Afghanistan in October 2001, it was primarily because of one person, Osama bin Laden. Shortly after the September 11 attacks, evidence began to emerge pointing to bin Laden and his terrorist network, al-Qaeda. For almost ten years, bin Laden was known to U.S. officials as a terrorist intent on targeting the United States. The bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 and the bombings of American embassies in 1998 were linked to him and his extensive financial holdings. But who is Osama bin Laden? Where did he come from and how did he establish a network of suicidal-bombing terrorists? This Web site from PBS explores who bin Laden is and how he rose to power. It explores his combination of inherited wealth and radical Islam and how he turned those resources of money and anger against the United States.

Destination Title: Hunting Bin Laden

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Directions
Start at the PBS Frontline Web site entitled Hunting Bin Laden.

• Browse through the site and go to each heading: "Introduction," "Who is Bin Laden?," "Trail of Evidence," and "Two Terrorists." Read the summaries on these pages.
• Read with more depth the topics that interest you or when a question calls for it.

After spending time on the Web site, answer the following questions.