Breaking History Modern Terrorism Was Born in the 1970s
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Feb 25, 2026 
Jason Burke, award-winning security correspondent and author of The Revolutionists, explores the 1970s surge in global extremism. He traces dramatic plane hijackings, the Munich crisis, and the rise of iconic militants like Carlos. Short takes cover how tactics, ideology, and state responses evolved and how that decade shaped later waves of violence.
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1970s Echo Contemporary Radical Drivers
- The 1970s feel different technologically but rhyme with today in mass youth anger, economic instability, and major geopolitical conflict.
- Burke argues similar structural pressures produced radicalized youth who believed violent revolution was possible despite different media and mobility.
Cohesive Leftist Narrative United Diverse Groups
- Leftist ideology in the 1970s provided a cohesive enemy narrative—imperialism, capitalism, and Israel—and shared symbols like Che Guevara.
- Burke notes common slogans, posters, and icons unified diverse groups even when deeper disagreements existed.
Hijackers Blew Up Planes After Evacuating Hostages
- The Revolution Airport hijackers evacuated passengers and blew up the planes in the desert to create a dramatic televised image.
- The exploding aircraft footage ran on evening news and convinced governments they faced a new kind of transnational threat.
