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 (amzn.eu/d/0bOVWwM7).

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: 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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