CONFLICTED

7/7: The Inside Story – How to Spot a Radical • Episode 4

13 snips
Sep 29, 2025
Dive into the harrowing aftermath of the 7/7 bombings, exploring a chilling plot to attack airlines with liquid explosives. Discover how alienation and identity crises lure British youths towards extremism. Academic insights shed light on notorious preachers fostering radicalization and the British government's contentious Prevent strategy. The rise of far-right and Islamist groups intensifies social tensions, while provocative discussions on de-radicalization's effectiveness leave listeners questioning the future of community safety.
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INSIGHT

Domestic Cells Could Target Aviation

  • The 2006 Walthamstow plot revealed British-born cells planning to defeat airport security using liquid explosives in bottles.
  • Peter Clarke says covert surveillance and technical bugs exposed an international plot tied to Al-Qaeda and aviation attacks.
INSIGHT

Simple Components, Catastrophic Risk

  • The Walthamstow design used everyday items split into non-threatening components to bypass checks.
  • Peter Clarke estimates the plot could have killed thousands and had huge geopolitical consequences.
ANECDOTE

Nighttime Sweep Averted Disaster

  • Peter Clarke describes a rapid arrest operation after fearing loss of control following an allied arrest in Pakistan.
  • His team arrested 24 people overnight without deploying armed officers, calling it the proudest night of his service.
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