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War. but from a psychological point of view, it was really the beginning of sort of bin laden's almost mythic persona, because a group of arabs had held off the soviets. it got a lot of play in the middle east. >> reporter: the once reticent and terrified bin laden was now hailed as a fearless leader, a hero on the front lines of jihad. >> he's brave, and he's ready to give his life. he's not a coward. >> reporter: in 1988, the soviets, worn down and demoralized, began to withdraw from afghanistan. and bin laden now battle hardened, returned a holy warrior, without a war.

Hailed as a fearless leader, a hero on the front lines of jihad. >> he's brave, and he's ready to give his life. he's not a coward. >> reporter: in 1988, the soviets, worn down and demoralized, began to withdraw from afghanistan. and bin laden now battle hardened, returned a holy warrior, without a war. but this man would soon change that, ayman al zawahiri. >> we are muslims who believe in their religion. >> reporter: a radical egyptian who would give bin laden the enemy he was looking for. ♪