Son-In-Law Recalls Conversations With Osama Bin Laden

Published March 20, 2014 at 12:25 PM EDT

In this courtroom sketch, Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, right, testifies at his trial on March 19, 2014, in New York, on charges he conspired to kill Americans and aid al Qaida as a spokesman for the terrorist group. In his surprise testimony, Abu Ghaith recounted the night of the September 11, 2001. (Elizabeth Williams/AP)

Osama bin Laden’s hours in a dark Afghanistan cave the evening of the September 11 attacks were brought to light when his son-in-law testified in his own defense at his terrorism trial.

The son-in-law, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, portrayed the al-Qaida leader as worried and apprehensive as he contemplated how America would react. He said bin Laden asked him hours after the attacks what he thought would happen next, and he told bin Laden the U.S. would not stop until it killed him and toppled the Taliban.

Abu Ghaith is charged with conspiring to kill Americans and provide material support to terrorists.

CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen joins Here & Now’s Sacha Pfeiffer to discuss Abu Ghaith’s testimony.

Guest

Peter Bergen, CNN national security analyst and author of “Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search For Bin Laden From 9/11 To Abbotabad.”