The True Origins of Modern Terrorism

In this Conflicted Conversation, Thomas speaks to journalist Jason Burke about his new book The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s.

Jason explains:

• Why the origins of modern terrorism lie earlier than the Afghan jihad of the 1980s
• The global revolutionary ferment of the 1960s and 70s
• Why early terrorist attacks were often designed to attract attention rather than cause mass casualties
• The role of Palestinian militant groups in pioneering modern tactics like hijacking
• Connections between European radicals, Japanese militants, and Middle Eastern groups
• How states adapted to terrorism through new counterterrorism measures
• The shift from theatrical violence to mass-casualty and suicide attacks
• The relationship between secular revolutionary movements and later Islamist militancy
• The Iranian Revolution as a turning point in the evolution of political violence
• Why many common narratives about the origins of jihadism are incomplete

Find Jason on X: https://x.com/burke_jason

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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

This episode was produced by Thomas Small and edited by Lizzy Andrews.

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