Meaning: The quote "We barely missed killing Bin Laden. There were numerous findings issued by the President to kill him. We rolled up terrorist cells. We stopped the millennium bombings." by Sidney Blumenthal, a journalist, reflects the intense efforts made by the United States to combat terrorism and eliminate the threat posed by Osama bin Laden and his network of terrorists. This quote is significant as it highlights the close encounters and near successes in the pursuit of Bin Laden, as well as the successful thwarting of terrorist activities during the time period.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the United States and its allies were engaged in a relentless pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, and his associates. Bin Laden was responsible for orchestrating numerous deadly attacks against American interests, including the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa and the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen. The U.S. government, under the leadership of President Bill Clinton, intensified its efforts to capture or kill Bin Laden and dismantle al-Qaeda's operations.

The reference to "numerous findings issued by the President to kill him" alludes to the authorization and issuance of directives by the President to target and eliminate Bin Laden. These findings would have likely included intelligence assessments, operational plans, and authorization for military or covert action to neutralize the terrorist leader. The language used in the quote suggests that there were specific opportunities or operations aimed at targeting Bin Laden, but for various reasons, the desired outcome was not achieved.

The mention of "rolling up terrorist cells" indicates successful efforts to disrupt and dismantle al-Qaeda-affiliated cells and networks operating in various regions. This likely involved coordinated intelligence operations, law enforcement activities, and international cooperation to identify, apprehend, or neutralize individuals involved in terrorist activities. The disruption of these cells would have been crucial in preventing further attacks and weakening al-Qaeda's operational capabilities.

The quote also references the successful prevention of the "millennium bombings," which refers to a series of planned terrorist attacks targeting the United States and its interests around the turn of the millennium. In late 1999, a plot to carry out bombings during the New Year's celebrations was foiled, thanks to law enforcement and intelligence efforts. This reference underscores the vigilance and effectiveness of counterterrorism measures in averting potentially catastrophic attacks.

Overall, Sidney Blumenthal's quote encapsulates the high-stakes and dynamic nature of the United States' efforts to combat terrorism during a critical period in history. It serves as a reminder of the persistent pursuit of Osama bin Laden and the proactive measures taken to disrupt and prevent terrorist activities. The quote also underscores the complexity and challenges inherent in counterterrorism operations, as well as the importance of continued vigilance and coordination in addressing the evolving threat of global terrorism.