It may be the most valuable find of all - a written record that takes readers inside the mind of America's greatest enemy.

Osama Bin Laden's handwritten journal has been found at the Pakistan compound where the terror chief was killed in a dramatic U.S. raid more than a week ago.

In it, he directed Al-Qaeda operatives to not only focus on New York City, but spread their operations to target smaller cities such as Los Angeles.

The discovery shatters previously held beliefs that Bin Laden was a 'has been' - acting simply as Al-Qaeda's spiritual leader rather than its operational chief.

The journal, as well as hundreds of computer 'pen' drives also containing directives, will only add to the heightened threat level across the U.S.

Among the edicts, one particularly macabre note reveals a mathematical calculation of how many people Al Qaeda would have to kill to finally force the U.S. out of the Middle East - concluding it would take another 9/11 at least.