The CIA Almost Made This Scary Osama bin Laden Action Figure

In 2006, the CIA, with the help of a toymaker in China, developed three prototypes of an Osama bin Laden action figure. Seen here are two sample headsPhotograph by Adam Goldman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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By Belinda Lanks

June 20, 2014 at 2:44 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

To help snuff out the influence of al Qaeda in Pakistan, in 2005 the CIA commissioned an action figure of Osama bin Laden, whose familiar visage would melt away to reveal the face of a demon. The intent was to scare children and their parents away from the real terrorist.

As Adam Goldman of the Washington Post reports, the spy agency tapped former Hasbro executive and G.I. Joe creator Donald Levine to design the figurine. Levine died of cancer at 86 in May.