Osama bin laden speaks with fellow mujahideen (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)
When looking to arm the Mujahideen, the US government sought out a leader to distribute the millions of dollars of weapons and logistical support to help fight the Soviets, they were left with few options. The Pakistani government offered up the name Osama Bin Laden as a powerful man in the fragmented world of Afghan governance. The United States and particularly the CIA had some idea that he was building up his specific brand of Islamic extremism, but could not have imagined the impact the decision to arm Afghan Mujahideen would have on the United States.