The 1970s marked a formative era in the evolution of international terrorism. Hijackings, hostage-taking and spectacular attacks brought a new generation of militant groups and charismatic protagonists to global attention. Among them, Carlos the Jackal became an emblematic figure: a terrorist who moved across ideological, organisational and national boundaries, operating at the intersection of Palestinian militancy, revolutionary left-wing movements and the interests of states seeking to advance their own geopolitical agendas. Drawing on the work of two journalists and a researcher who have each written extensively on this history, this webinar will explore how terrorism functioned in the 1970s, with a focus on the character of Carlos.
The discussion will then turn to 2026. What can this history tell us about some of the dynamics confronting us today? Are we seeing a return of forms of terrorism in which ideology is only one motivation among others—including money, power, status or notoriety? What can the relationships between left-wing and Islamist militants in the 1970s tell us about contemporary debates around the convergence of political causes? And what lessons can be drawn from the role of states in supporting, instrumentalising or tolerating violent non-state actors? Bringing together historical research and contemporary perspectives, the event will use the story of Carlos and his era not simply to revisit the past, but to ask what it can help us understand about terrorism and political violence today.
Speakers:
Jason Burke is the International security correspondent of the Guardian. In 30 years as a foreign correspondent, he has reported throughout the Middle East, Europe, Africa and South Asia. He is the author of five books, most recently The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s.
Dr Daniela Richterova is Senior Lecturer in Intelligence Studies at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. Her research and teaching focus on Cold War intelligence as well as contemporary issues related to state-based threats, covert action and counterterrorism. Her most recent book is Watching the Jackals: Prague’s Covert Liaisons with Cold War Terrorists and Revolutionaries.
Joby Warrick is a best-selling author and a longtime national security reporter for The Washington Post. He has been twice awarded the Pulitzer Prize, for his newspaper journalism and for his 2015 book “Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS. His latest book is The Jackal: The Rise and Fall of Carlos, the World's First Super-Terrorist.
Join us for a webinar on 10 November 2026, 15:00 - 16:30 CET
Registration
If you are interested in joining this webinar, please register through this link.
