PBD Podcast “Osama Bin Laden Is Dead” - Robert J. O’Neill TELLS ALL: SEAL Team Six | PBD Podcast | Ep. 646
Sep 11, 2025
In this riveting discussion, Robert J. O'Neill, a former Navy SEAL known for shooting Osama bin Laden, shares gripping details about the historic mission and its emotional aftermath. He unpacks the complexities of intelligence work and the challenges faced by SEAL Team Six. The conversation also touches on the moral dilemmas of bounties in international law and the disillusionment within military operations. O'Neill reflects on his personal journey post-military life, emphasizing the healing power of storytelling and the impact of trauma.
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Moment He Identified Bin Laden
- Robert J. O'Neill recounts seeing Osama bin Laden in person and shooting him in the bedroom.
- He describes holding the corpse and saying the unreleased photos show his gloves holding Bin Laden's head together.
Who Might Lead Al-Qaeda Now
- O'Neill says he believes Hamza bin Laden is the current key leader running camps in Afghanistan.
- He explains poor human intelligence and the 2021 withdrawal left space for camps to reemerge.
Surge Effects On Local Stability
- Large troop surges can destabilize local economies and increase insurgency recruitment.
- O'Neill says small, locally integrated deployments preserved safety before surges created IEDs and suicide attacks.
