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The CIA released 71 presidential daily briefs covering the period from February 1998 to September 12, 2001, which detail what US leaders knew about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda prior to the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. The documents, totaling 101 pages, reveal specific warnings, including a September 1998 alert that bin Laden preferred to strike the US on its own soil, and mention his interest in acquiring unconventional weapons like dirty bombs. Despite the accumulation of warnings, the released materials do not significantly change the understanding of how the attacks were planned, but provide a documented history of the intelligence available to US leaders at the time.

Several dozen declassified presidential briefing documents from the CIA, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, reveal extensive intelligence on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, including their movements and financing methods. The documents include a February 1998 report identifying bin Laden as a terrorist seeking weapons of mass destruction and mention possible hijacking plans dating back to December 1998, with indications that attacks were planned for two years. Moreover, assessments suggested that bin Laden aimed to strike the U.S. on its own soil, including a potential attack on the Capitol, and noted his operatives were experimenting with explosives to enhance their effectiveness.

The CIA declassified several dozen presidential daily briefs regarding Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, detailing intelligence gathered before the hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people. These documents cover various concerns, including potential threats to U.S. targets, Bin Laden's operations and finances, and his intention to conduct attacks within the U.S., with officials noting “suspicious activity” consistent with preparations for hijackings and mentioning 70 FBI investigations linked to Bin Laden. While the release was billed as an act of transparency, many documents were redacted and did not provide new insights into the planning of the attacks or the U.S. officials' understanding at that time.