Netflix Explores Hunt for Osama bin Laden in New Docuseries

New Delhi, India – Netflix has released a new documentary series titled American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, which delves into the intricate decade-long pursuit of the notorious terrorist following the September 11, 2001, attacks. The three-part series recounts the events leading up to bin Laden’s demise on May 2, 2011, during a United States military operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The documentary features interviews with key figures from the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, providing a comprehensive look at the U.S. government’s efforts to locate and eliminate bin Laden, who had been America’s “Most Wanted” terrorist since the 9/11 attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.

Initially, the U.S. mission to capture bin Laden began before the attacks as intelligence agencies had monitored his movements for years due to his connections with al-Qaeda. After the shift of Taliban rule in Afghanistan and persistent hints of bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan, U.S. forces intensified their search.

Through extensive analysis of intelligence and tracking of courier movements, officials pinpointed a large mansion in Abbottabad believed to be hiding bin Laden. On the night of the raid, President Obama faced mixed opinions from his war cabinet regarding whether to proceed without informing the Pakistan government, which had been a controversial ally in the region.

In the documentary, John Brennan, who served as Obama’s chief counterterrorism advisor, noted, “President Obama was clear that we’re not going to inform the Pakistanis… because they had relationships with a lot of the militant and terrorist groups.” This sentiment was echoed by Obama himself in his 2020 memoir, A Promised Land.

The mission, dubbed Operation Neptune Spear, culminated in a midnight raid by Navy SEAL Team 6, which faced operational challenges, including the potential for a helicopter crash. Despite these challenges, the mission was executed successfully, resulting in bin Laden’s death.

After the raid, the Pakistani government denied any prior knowledge of bin Laden’s presence, though many speculated about the military’s potential complicity. A subsequent report criticized Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies for their inability to detect bin Laden.

Throughout the 2025 docuseries, the directors, Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, aim to capture the emotional burden faced by those in the intelligence community as they navigated a landscape fraught with moral complexities.

As American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden unfolds, it raises critical questions about the lasting impact of the U.S. actions in the wake of 9/11. The series is now available for streaming on Netflix.